Quote from ProfitTakgFool:
Buffett's investments in GS and GE are very misunderstood. He invested billions into each company at 10% guaranteed interest with an option to buy warrants at a fixed price. He has not lost a dime in either of these companies and the only way he can lose money is if they default on their interest payments. Warrants are an option to buy a stock at a certain price over a certain time, not an obligation to do so. Pretty smart if you ask me, especially since the USG will not either of these companies fail. Mr. Buffett is getting a guaranteed 10%.
Let's be honest, it's not smart, it's special privilege.
You really think if they held an auction on these, noone else would bite? Seriously, these special arrangement investments would sell like hotcakes and fetch a better price. Wealthy investors would do it for 8-9%, if not 7% dividend.
Buffett got a special deal and it's relatively risk free, since you can bet your ass the government will bail him out if anything. Look at this more critically, he is privileged and is getting something at the expense of common stock shareholders and taxpayers. Not rocket science, just plain old nepotism, cronyism & feudalism.