There was a hint that Tesla will bring some sort of compromise to the table at the town meeting. I'll believe it when I hear it.
What do you want to bet it's the right to put down the first deposits on Model S (with price subject to increase without notice or rationale). How anyone here can think it's actually a good thing to lose 400-odd customers is wrong in my opinion, regardless of how it may appear to speed up delivery and profitability. Alienating a customer is not a solid business model for a fledgling company.
And those government loans may very-well be tied to profitability--but on the backs of consumers should be a red flag to government that this isn't a loan that will be paid back.