Comment on "Bailout handouts"

When pork-barrel politics, redirecting blame and re-election wins are the measures of power in Congress, Americans cannot rely on a Congress bankrupt of money, ideas, and scruples to find solutions for America's wealth and leadership meltdown. Congress financed deficit spending by hindering regulatory enforcement and lowering credit standards to encourage consumer borrowing to produce economic expansion. Congress fueled the dot-com securities and sub-prime mortgage market scams that deceived irrationally exuberant investors and consumers. End Congress' abuse of power! Limit Congressional terms to 18 years cumulative.

John Patrick Smith @ 12:06 AM PDT, Oct 3, 2008

Not to pass the Senate version is to wait for a perfect bill while we're watching lifetime savings vanish. Let's get this one passed, then pass other measures to manage some of the weaknesses. Come on. Don't steal my retirement, my legacy, my future with self-righteousn purity. Compromise is essential. The world community is depending on us to pass this Senate bill. What do you want? A little offensive pork, or bones for the next generation?

Nancy Macky @ 3:28 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

Only the LA Times could consider a Hollywood break for movie producers "welcome". That is enough reason alone to vote against it.

David Shedlock @ 3:14 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

Would somebody please tell "tellem" that 700 billion divided by 350 million Americans would "only" be $3500 a piece, not $270,000. Would somebody please tell John McCain to please shut up about earmarks, after he voted for more money for Hollywood producers in this bill. Would somebody please tell the American people why tax breaks were given to bike riders? It is because if this bill passes we will all be riding bikes to work. Would somebody tell me why if this was so urgent that the house to two days off for a holiday?

David Shedlock @ 3:11 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

Times have changed, it's time we simplify. Drinking water, firewood for warmth, and a modest meal a day may be a challenge to obtain very soon I fear. Are we really going to allow our leaders to spend our money on the luxurious lifestyles of the C.E.O.'s that helped create this mess? I have my shotgun, do you? How many shotguns does it take to change government in the U.S.? Maybe it's time we find out.

Ready to overthrow King George II @ 1:45 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

This bailout would effectively give ownership of the foreclosed homes to the U.S. Government...seems like they actually want this to happen. Why? Cash is king now, pay cash and buy American whenever possible. If you want to make a speculative investment, may I suggest drilling a well, it won't be long before clean drinking water is the defacto trading instrument here in the U.S. Soon, we may be bartering with our neighbors. "I'll trade you 20 gallons of clean water for a gross of potatoes and carrots, and I'll give another 20 gallons for a cord of firewood."

Kelly_of_Hugo @ 1:41 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

Handouts to the largest financial institutions of the world, which are operated by the wealthiest people on the planet? Please, my Congressmen and Representatives, I beg you, I implore you to open your eyes, think for yourself but most of all think for your constituents (those would be the people who are governed by the U.S. Constitution, remember the constitution?). Wall Street will fix itself, if anyone is to get some help it should be in the form of restructured mortgages to the homeowners and a nationalizing of the banking, oil, and medical industries.

Kelly_of_Hugo @ 1:38 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

The amazing thing is that all of these clowns in The House and Senate will continue to get re-elected over and over and over....

Craig @ 12:37 PM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

Osama Bin Laden just has to be rolling around laughing at the success he and naive American dupes in Congress have had since the 1999 "rules" requiring loan guarantees to Illegal Aliens and other unqualified wannabe borrowers. Where is the investigation into Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae ? The scams there were no different than those at Enron or WorldCom. Those responsible in Congress, several Administrations, and on Wall Street need to be jailed without bond pending trial for Treason. But "Who guards the guards" ?????

tucanofulano @ 10:50 AM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

So the people rejected this stupid bill the first time, and their answer is to make it even stupider, and try again? Wasn't the "Stimulis" package supposed to fix this little problem? What happened to that? They told us it was "necessary", and everybody bought it, because it meant they'd get some of their taxes back. It didn't do any good. Now they're telling us this bill is necessary, and there's not even any benefit to the tax payers. What makes anybody think this "necessity" will be any different? Printing up (or borrowing) more money isn't the answer... You can't borrow your way out of "the red".

Austin @ 10:22 AM PDT, Oct 2, 2008

Next