Closing Arguments: Where’s Our Bailout?

YES Main street is the people that run this country. Its our money these wall street people are gambling with on the stock market. BUT the goverment seems to think it fine to give their friend on wall street a open check book to do what they want. Just follow the trail, they all work together and know each other. Goverment, Wall Street, Banks.. all play hand in and. The little people are left in the cold

Yes citizens should be “bailed out” because commercial credit deflation is destroying the money supply. Tight credit standards and asset deflation will mean fewer loan dollars can possibly be produced. The only way to replace this and allow our best decision makers(consumers) to keep making decisions is with public debt.

yeah I agree with the gentlemen in florida. if the government bailed out the American Consumer and helped us keep our houses then we would go out and spend money that would help the economy. If Americans have money we tend to spend it on something. Now that gas isn’t $4.50 a gallon and the holidays are here, give us (American Tax Payer) 30 Millions Dollars. We would put a good percentage into the economy and not give it to our CEOs. We don’t get bonuses cause our company are cutting back. This isn’t right and we need to have a say if taxes are paying for the bailout money.

It’s useless to ask for a bailout. Nobody listens to average joe because we have nothing to offer the politician signing the bill.
I come from a country riddled with corruption, so I gave up on trusting the government to help the common guy.
Seriously, don’t kid yourself. You won’t get anything.

Can anyone rattle off the list of combined historical events that were equal in cost to the govt. as the bailout?

yes,I believe it makes more sense than funding bonuses of executives that caused the problem with thier greed.

Yes… Where is our bailout? The buck starts with the consumer in this country. With confidence in the entire system waning, why not give us all a 5 to 10 thousand tax credit giving the consumer some breathing room? With 350 Billion dollars going towards a banking system that has refused to reveal any accounting of it, we deserve the same break they got.

It’s ridiculous that these companies get any bonuses.
My favorite stories are these banks renogotiating the mortgages of people who are behind on their payments. The banks set the rates at the adjusted ARM rates of 8-9% and then add all the late fees onto the loans, resulting in $20,000+ added to the mortgages. Let’s see if the people can’t afford the mortgage at 8-9%, either lower the rate or foreclose!!! It’s that simple.
If you want to get the economy moving and save millions of jobs, simply tell the banks to change every single mortgage in America to 4.5%. This would put trillions of dollars in Americans pockets, save millions of Americans from living on the street, save the banks from owning millions of houses that are worth 50 cents on the dollar.
Give every American a break, not these failing executives.

Absoutely, not being real great at math or the amount of all those ex bonuses I can not even imagine how many “main street” families would benefit from just 2 to 3 THOUSAND dollar bonus.How many of those BILLIONS could you distribute among those people. I am in that group and I live pay day to pay day. I would feel like a billion dollars if I just had a couple of thousand. Who am I trying to kid? A few hundred could make a wish come true. We are not lazy people who are afraid of work, My husband is retired after having served one company for 40 years. I am 64 years old and have been paying into SS since I was 15 years old. We have been thru some pretty hard times and always got thru, but not because we got a bail out from the government—because we recognized the problems and made the necessary adjustment.

I totally agree. I need a bailout. I work hard, pay my bills on time, am comfortable but with everything going up I won’t be able to continue to take care of my responsibilities. “I NEED A BAILOUT” Come up with a bailout for us – give us $20,000 to married couples and $10,000 to singles – not chump change a few hundred dollars to get the economy going. We need to be sble to keep our heads above water.

Of course Ken has a point to saying, “where’s our bailout”. Why is it alright for the CEOs to get bailed out when there are thousands of AMERICANS starving in our streets. This whole bail out is ridiculous. WE THE TAX PAYERS are paying for the CEOs that ran their companies into the ground to get million dollar bonuses. How do WE let this happen? 700 billion dollars of our money is being put towards pent houses and vacations to Venice. It would be one thing if this money was put COMPLETELY towards fixing this glorious economic situation that we are in now, but it is not! The government does not go around saving everyone when they have financial issues so why is it alright for them to use 700 billion of our dollars to help the people who screwed up the most. I know that this is what the argument was before it was passed but it still makes me livid. We are the ones feeling this economy failing but we are also the ones getting screwed the most with all of this, all they are being effected by is smaller bonus’s that they shouldn’t get getting anyways because it’s OUR MONEY!!!

I think he is right on track! We lost our home and it cost us more than just the house. It took it’s toll on our marriage, our kids, our entire outlook on life. Our dream became a nightmare! I still wonder why all these big shots rate a bail out at all and the rest of us to flop around like fish out of water. Why couldn’t the government re-appraise homes at their true value, not these jacked up stupid prices. We could have all stayed in our homes, with reasonable mortgages, made our payments proudly and still managed to continue shopping! Buying cars, trucks, furniture, clothes… all the things that salesmen are stressing over now. Businesses could have stayed open, people would still be working and if you think about it, doing that would have cost a lot less than the billions the government seems to be able to pull out of thin air for these companies who can’t even give us a reason or a plan for what they are going to actually do with the money. My plan would have been to pay my bills, and continue to work everyday without fear of being let go, or have hours cut. I would have been able to buy a new car and not plod around in the junker I have now hoping nothing else falls off! I didn’t want a bail out… just a leg up…
When is the government going to recognize the people who actually make the country run. Truck drivers, teachers, nurses, caregivers, police, firefighters, your friendly WalMart greeter!!!! Are we that invisible???
Just asking.
Merry Christmas… do you think all those investment bankers and car big shots are telling their children… sorry kids, no presents this year… because we are. Instead of gifts we are giving time at the homeless shelter. Kids are going to serve the meal and do the dishes… I am going to cut hair all day for people who just can’t pay for one. Think I’ll be rubbing elbows with anyone from the bank? doubt it.
I figured I should get in good with the shelter now because if things keep going the way they are now… we might be living there soon ourselves.
Thank you for the outlet.. I needed this. Peace and Joy to you all. S. Davidson… St. Petersburg, Florida

I completely agree with the gentleman in Florida. So many of us are just simply lost. We can not qualify for any aid because we have a decent income. And yet, the demands on said income continually increase and increase while we receive no raises. It can not go on like this. Too many of us – my family included – are walking on the edge of a financial cliff EVERY day. And I agree with the viewer who said that the consumers need to be restored and they in turn can restore the economy. Have we not learned in all this time that supply-side economics simply does not work?

The bailout should go directly back to the people that pay taxes. Over $750K for AIG parties and we don’t even get a stale crouton? What sense does it make to help the big corporations make things that the average consumer doesn’t have the means to buy? There’s only one thing that trickles down from corporate America – and it’s not wealth.

Where do we sign up for the revolution?

yes i do believe that main street deserves a bailout of our own. if no one is buying cars why do auto manufacturers need a bailout? we know the devastating result of this inhumane gesture so why do we need to keep rekendling this hazardous fire. when wall street wasted our money did they have any mercy? NO! i know personally of a person who is suffering and it’s not her fault. the bank system made an error which is now affecting her. in this economy she would have been perfect{she is not rich but wealthy in education of how to handle your money}because she is very wise with her money but can’t even dream because of this harsh reality. i know this is a sign from God. you just don’t steal people’s money and get by un-noticed. plus it is also our fault we are the fabric of this country so we should have known when someone was starting to tug on us. OVERALL, MAIN STREET DESERVES A BAILOUT if we can’t help ourselves let alone wall street

Main Street Bailout Resolve:
There are approximately 200 million Americans that are over 18 years of age. A majority of them are in debt ranging from $10,000 – $60,000. Provide each qualified 18 year old American with $100,000 for a total of 200 Billion Dollars. Approximatelt 28% will go right back to government as income tax.
Specification: Qualified recipients must agree to not quit their jobs, unless to go into business for themselves, MUST only buy an American Car and MUST pay off all credit card debt and never apply for them again.
This will prevent credit card companies from seeking a bailout in the near future, fix the Big Three Car Company issues, save taxpayers over 800 Billion plus dollars and fix the economy almost overnight. To fix the economy even faster, double the amount to $200,000 each and still save taxpayers $600 Billion dollars.
Big beaurocricy don’t see it as a reasonable immediae solution because it is simply too simple.
Nick V, New Port Richey, FL

Of course! I’ve been asking myself this question from day one. What a slap in the face it is to tax payers who work hard and have acquired debt through the course of every day living. Mine are school loans and if I don’t pay my credit is ruined. During the summer when gasoline was expensive, food prices increased, where was my (our) bail out? Who knew the government had that much money to give out to irresponsible people who aren’t smart enough to drive but fly on personal jets to their own bail out cause?? It is troubling to see. The hard working people who are responsible get nothing.

I always thought we could spend our money better than big brother.If we received a bailout,I believe most would be able to make the mortgage payment,car payment,etc..Then these banks and car makers wouldn’t need our taxes to fund some over priced trip for the over paid CEO’S.With the rest the moneys I’m sure people would spend which would further stimulate our economy.Or hows this,spend the money to bring back our jobs shipped overseas so AMERICANS CAN GET BACK TO WORK so WE can spread the wealth.

The people of America work hard, pay their taxes and try to keep ahead of their bills and mortgage or rent payments. Some of us need 2 jobs or at least 2 incomes per household where one job used to suffice. Wall street acts irresponsibly, puts our economy in jeapardy, and is rewarded with a gift of our hard earned tax dollars to the tune of $700 billion dollars. To add to the absurdity the banks won’t let go of the money except in the form of huge bonuses to their inept executives.
What is wrong with our elected representatives that they allowed this travesty to occur? How could they authorize the money to be given without stringent restrictions and oversight?
How naive of them to trust the people who got us into this messs to get us out. How naive of them to trust George W. and his appointee at Treasury Paulson and the idiots who are running the banks into the ground. I am totaly disgusted with all of them

Bailout Main Street:
Hey, what ever happened to the top ten s__t list that Anderson Cooper shared for 10 consecutive days announcing the top 10 biggest thieves in American history. These masters of theft all should have been arrested and incarcerated by now. You think? If you or I robbed a local bank to make ends meet, chances are we would be behind bars within a week. These Wall Street Clowns seem to have slipped by public awareness due to the election coverage. From then until to now they have the luxury of diversifying their money while we continue to bail out more of these clowns.
The problem is we are kept so busy with, trying to make ends meet, attending holiday parties and watching mindless television with our down time that we don’t feel we can fix these enormous problems so we pay very little attention, become paralyzed and continue letting a handful of the truly wealthy run the world for self gained profits.
We should be revolting and not showing up to work for a week to stop this madness and take a United Stand to Force the government to bail us all out on an individual bases. Bailing Out Main Street would fix the economy overnight to boot.
Nick V, New Port Richey FL

The tax payer is the one who should be bailed out. We the people are who have made all the banks and car companies rich. Why should we reward them with a bailout, when they are so mismanaged and greedy.
The middle-class consumers do not want to see their hard earned tax dollars go to these companies. It is our money and it should be returned. A bailout directed to us would generate an increase in demand of numerous products. Keeping more people employed.
I do not see the current bailout of lending firms and car companies accomplishing this.

I agree I am so fed up and disillusioned with corporate america. When will the masses realize we are the heart and soul of America. What happened to a government for the people by the people? Collectively we hold the key. Collectively we have the power. It’s simple give us the money and the economy gets back on track. When will the people in government realize this? What will it take? Do we all need to stand up and be accounted for? Do we all need to march on washington and hold our elected officials accountable for what they themselves have done or haven’t done to get us in this mess?

I completely agree with this guy. Even after the big companies get their bailout, what good does it do if the rest of us cannot afford to purchace their products? It will only be a matter of time before they will need to be bailed out again. The bottom line is that we need a solution for the American people, especially those of us in the middle and lower class.

It could have been SIMPLE-This would have jump-started the ecomomy! $700 Billion split among each USA Citizen over the age of 18y/o. Approx $269,000. to each USA Citzen 18y/o & older-Taxes to the IRS-Approx $140,000 to each after taxes. This would have allowed USA Citizens to payoff/catchup on their mortgages, some would pay off their credit cards, some would invest, some would buy real estate, some would save, some would buy cars-clothes-etc. Can you imagine what this would do for the the economy-what a shot of cash flow into the econmy! it’s too bad the Morons-including Bush first thought was to give the Wealthy more Money at our expense!
Thx for listening, D. Strand

I understand we as a nation can’t let out countrys main compains come to an end. But at what coasts? We are allowing out ignerant goverment give out money that should have been able to bounce us back from a recession. They gave 400 billion to the banks that would have paid off all the bad debt that alot of the banks had collect because of their ignorance. That money should have been put to pay off morgages that the people of america have sadly ignorantly chosen to collect and been paid back to the gov. like the morgages were being paid back. Im just a normal american with common sence, but i really dont think it was that hard to think of.

Where does “We the People” come into anything anymore? We have no say in anything. Politics and big business run the government for along time past and along time coming. When…when is the constitution of the U.S. going to come into play again? No wonder so many people are on anti-depressants. And Tom Cruise question that?…He who makes umpteen million dollars per year? It’s all f**ked up! We all need to be like the Peter Finch from “Network”, “I’m angry as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!!!”

You, above think “they should”….do “they” give a damn…Do we have any say??…Should we not start to stand up for our rights?…march right up to the White House, one and all, and say “I think YOU SHOULD…!!!”…Nothing will get done the way the American People want it; until we unite and say….”No more!” And seriously and in reality…absolutely go to the White House and say, “NO MORE”! We will not pay for your faults”! If we don’t start standing up, literally, for our rights, we will, and deserved to be, screwed! Period.

I really get a laugh reading these comments. You people don’t understand math.
Here are some good ones:
“There are approximately 200 million Americans that are over 18 years of age. A majority of them are in debt ranging from $10,000 – $60,000. Provide each qualified 18 year old American with $100,000 for a total of 200 Billion Dollars. Approximatelt 28% will go right back to government as income tax.”
A billion is a 1,000 million. Giving everyone $100,000 would equal $20 trillion. If you do that you might as well use dollar bills as toilet paper, because it would be worthless. That is over twice the national debt.
“Around 500,000,000 is what I have been told. Do the politicians not realize they could have sent a 1 million dollar “stimulus check” to each legal resident and would have only spent 500 million.”
Wow, there are actually a little over 300 million in the USA. Let me see, a million dollar check sent to 500 people would be $500 million. Your idea would cost $500 trillion, see the above comment and multiply by 25 times. No, you are not smarter than a fifth grader.
“$700 Billion split among each USA Citizen over the age of 18y/o. Approx $269,000.”
Again, you people just don’t know where to put the comma. I guess you think there are about 260 million people in your target group. If you divide $700 billion into 260 million it only comes out to about $2,700 per person.
No wonder we are in the shape we are in!

Actually I don’t believe in the bailouts, but the government doesn’t want to see businesses fail.
Bailout was a terrible term given to the TARP program. The TARP money is being invested as preferred stock in the banks, this preferred stock yields 5% for the first 5 years and 9% thereafter for the government (taxpayers). Plus the government also got warrants that will be valuable in the future as stock prices rise. The government is only giving the money to banks that qualify as financially sound. A bank on the brink of failure won’t be getting any money.
There is no reason to give it to the people. People being irresponsible with borrowing got us here in the first place. Of course mortgage companies / credit card companies / banks encouraged the lending, but people should have not borrowed every last cent they could have to finance an overly lavish lifestyle. Dave Ramsey has some excellent books out and most people who followed his advice aren’t the ones on the brink of bankruptcy.

I can’t believe that we gave these bailouts to the banks with no accountability and Bank of America is treating it’s customers like dirt, raising their interest rates, changing due dates to trick the borrower into making late payments so they can raise their interest rates sky high, and on and on and on! I say take that money back and give it to the American people. Why should my tax dollars fund corruption and deceit? And the worst part? We don’t even get a say in what happens to our money!

I wrote my senators and congressmen asking them not to give the banks a bailout, especially without any accountability, but they went ahead and did it even though the vast majority of letters and calls they got asked them not to. “I think I know a little bit more about this than the average citizen” said one of them. If there had to be a bailout, it should have gone as a rebate to every taxpayer who then could have used the money to pay down their debits and spend in a way that would have stimulated the economy from the grassroots up–instead it’s a nother “trickle down” plan that never reaches the common man–we just paay for it. I feel robbed!

The bailout should be for the taxpayers and not for the executives who have lacked leadership skills have brought us to this place to begin with. If the government had bailed out each tax payer (anyone that filed 2007 taxes) the $700B, and taxed us on top of it, A. government would get taxes and B. we would spend the funds on paying either the mortgages or purchase a home or car and put the money back in the economy. Granted it may have reduced the value of dollar, but it least wouldn’t have 11 million unemployed americans and having such a horrible effect on the worlds economy. Yes, the money should be given to the hard working tax payers and not the C-level executives, who lack leadership skills!

Ken makes a huge social and economic statement. The true builders of this country, bare the tools in hand and do the actual work. They need a bailout!
What we are being reminded of, is that the so called dream is panhandled by the stringpullers of D.C. and Wall Street. Helping each other to the commoners purse.

hmmmm….bail us out….I don’t think for a single minute that the goverment should bail ANYONE out, not a company, not a taxpayer!! To many people want the government to control every aspect of their lives, give me money, pay my mortgage, pay my health care, regulate what we eat, regulate what we say…geez do you people not realize what you are saying or asking. The whole base of this problem comes from irresponsibility, not just from CEO’s but from us…we get to busy trying to keep up with the Jones’, we have to have a better car and a better house, we have to take a better vacation, don’t have the money…ahhh no problem, put it on the plastic. Most Americans are swimming in so much debt they can’t see daylight, but we want to blame everyone but ourselves! What ever happened to living within our means? Bail out…I think not, bail yourselves out and learn a lesson…same goes for EVERYONE (business, individual, group).

YES ! ! ! , it’s our money. We are being riped off by the same people that have been sticking it to us for years, the banks ! The government is giving the rapist the money !
Ex Republican

Samhiguchi – your post was the best on here, I agree. The average person is the reason we are in this mess. To them money was a drug and they became addicted, the banks may have been the drug dealer, but they people should have used common sense and lived within their means.
I didn’t make this clear in my earlier post, most of the money “given” to the banks will be repaid, with interest, and stock warrants worth extra money, within five years. Sure a few banks may fail, but the warrants on stock will be worth a lot provided the economy stabilizes. The government is being savvy with this investment.
If it had been given to the taxpayer it would never be given back. Plus, it would have been only about $3,000 and most everyone is saying they would have paid down their debt, that wouldn’t stimulate anything.
That is the trouble in the economy now, the massive borrowing over stimulated the economy for years, as that money is paid back (by everyone at the same time) the economy will contract and hence we have a recession. People now are busy trying to pay their debts and hang on to their house, car, etc, they aren’t buying anything new.
All borrowing does is pull future demand into the present, then it is “taxed” by interest, somewhere demand will fall by the total cost of the loan (principal and interest repayments)
Here is another gem:
“In biblical times every 7 years all debt was cleared and everyone starts anew.”
No, it was every 50 years and it was called Jubilee.
“If all these banks deserve all our money they should have to wipe away all debts and let everyone start anew.”
Debt by consumers in this country far exceeds $700 billion, the banks would never agree to such a stupid deal.

You hear that the bailout is needed but the government doesn’t know if it will work. If the bailout was given to the people who really need it then the chances of it working is about the same. But you can be sure that there would be a few million people more happy than the plutocrats.
That being said, I am reminded of a parable (my comments in parenthesises)
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king (the US Govenment) who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man (the banks, financial institutions auto-industry) who owed him ten trillion dollars was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants (the taxpaying public) who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.”…
(We can only hope that justice as in the parable will be evident)
…”Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. SHOULDN’T YOU HAVE MERCY ON YOUR FELLOW SERVANT JUST AS I HAD ON YOU?’(caps mine) In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
From Matthew 18 (NIV with slight changes)

Actually the money the government is investing in the banking system will help the system gain strength. The money is capital and will increase bank’s capital ratios. This will make them less likely to become insolvent. The bank’s know what to do with it, but since the ones getting capital are the ones who didn’t make a lot of stupid mistakes they don’t want to make mediocre loans, so they don’t necessarily lend more. That was the fallacy that they Treasury should have realized when they started the program. Most bank’s have valuable assets on their balance sheets, of course they are worth less than they were a year ago, but still as long as you like living in your home and you have a decent job you will pay your loans. There is massive deleveraging going on right now due to overlending in the past. Making the same stupid mistake, overlending, is not a viable way out of our problems. Trouble is that this will be painful over the next couple of years.
The investment in the banks will likely be paid back within five years and will have a decent return for the government.

Two words, Hurricane Katrina. It is a blemish on the United States when I see news segments on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how people, buildings, and neighborhoods are still boarded up. The bailout should have went to clean up New Orleans and the surroundings areas, not to greedy Wall Street idiots. Rebuilding New Orleans would have put a lot of construction workers and related fields back to work, therefore able to employee people in rebuilt businesses. There are plenty of areas where that money would have paid for itself many times over by creating cash flow. It is pretty sad when the American people have more commonsense then those voted into office. Government is the only job where you can suck at and still get paid, where you can deflect the responsibility for your actions to someone else and not get fired. Like any job, if they don’t perform they should be fired, not pay lobbyist to get them back in year after year. I think running the government is complex but losing sight of what is important is what is wrong with government, losing sight of what the average citizen needs is what causes problems. Our basic needs are food, housing, clothing, and a decent job and medical insurance, education. Why is that so hard to accomplish year, after year,
after year?? I know why, because the elected officials are too busy trying to make THEIR life better and their pocketbook fatter. Get busy you fools. The UNITED STATES should pull together and take the power back. If we all take a stand for these basic needs and put our foot down, things will change, their money comes from us, the tax payers. The elected officials ARE NOT smarter than I am obviously.

Christy – “The banks are not suffering any consequences from the mortgage meltdown which they are partially responsible for. How is it fair that the banks do not suffer for their bad decisions?”
Ever heard of Washington Mutual, Indy Mac, Downey S&L? They & alot with other commercial banks have failed.
Investment banks like Bear Stearns, Lehman have effectively been wiped out. Trust me, they feel the consequence of their bad decisions and so do their management teams and shareholders. Many have been wiped out.
Yes, credit was too available, but consumers shouldn’t have taken it, they didn’t have to, but they wanted a bigger house, SUV, junk, and borrowed until they couldn’t borrow anymore.
A drug dealer may sell drugs, but I don’t have to buy any!

You want your voice herd.MARCH ON WASHINGTON!!!!!!!CAMP ON THE FRONT LAWN!!!DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!CRYING NEVER SOLVED ANYTHING!!MAKE THEM KNOW YOU ARE THERE!!

“Money should have been given to every American citizen – $280,000,000 each”
If that much were given to every citizen that would be a payment of $84,000 trillion, a mind boggling sum, and a sum that would make everything everyone has worked for in this country worthless (except hard assets such as gold, etc). Inflation would eat everything up so you would have to use a wheelbarrow of cash to buy a loaf of bread.
That wouldn’t help anyone, and the winners would float to the top and losers to the bottom. It is a natural law.
You people are so funny (but scary at the same time) Good none of you are running the government we all would be ruined.
You people act like it is the bank’s fault that a person gets their house foreclosed on. NO, the loan officers didn’t hold a gun to anyone’s head to take out a loan. It was a bad decision made by both parties.

“Two words, Hurricane Katrina. It is a blemish on the United States when I see news segments on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how people, buildings, and neighborhoods are still boarded up. The bailout should have went to clean up New Orleans and the surroundings areas, not to greedy Wall Street idiots. Rebuilding New Orleans would have put a lot of construction workers and related fields back to work, therefore able to employee people in rebuilt businesses.”
Sherri,
Are you completely insane? Lets spend billions more to rebuild a city that sits BELOW sea level. AND YOU LIBERALS THINK BUSH IS DUMB!!!!
Hey while we are at it, lets promote North Dakota as the 21st century’s great beach resort!
Lets give people money to build more homes on stilts in California!

You asked, “who is at fault with the mess our country is in?” It is the direct fault of our legislators! They set the stage for this when they removed all the safe guards that were put in place after the Depression and they are the ones who continue to let the lobbyists exist. When Congress throws the lobbyists out of D.C. then we will know they are finally serving the people!!

only it won’t be our bill, it will be our children’s. What a mess to leave them.

The govt should mandate credit card interest. That would be our bailout.