[seahorse]

I'm surprised by the events of the last week, and that surprises me. Most of us have long expected an economic downturn, maybe a depression, and with PO, any possibility has been discussed. What surprises me is how quickly those in charge have begun to take over. I'm referring to what Paulson and the like are doing. Now, its not surprising that in war or an admitted depression, the gov't takes extraordinary measures, but we aren't in a depression, yet they want extraordinary powers.

It concerns me that it has taken so little to push them over the democratic edge. They immediately start changing SEC rules, want authority to spend $700 billion with impunity with no regulatory oversight etc. The Constitutional problems are troubling, but also the fact that it appears the captain has told them we just hit an iceberg, they know there aren't enough life boats, and they are jumping in them.

For the last four years now I have considered myself aware, and by being aware, mentally prepared for all possibilities, meaning, I didn't foresee myself as being surprised by anything. I have been surprised at the last week. Material things are unimportant. I've never been worried about the loss of material things. The most important things can never be stolen, that is, except for one, the belief in your government. I'm worried because I see evil men that would take our government from us, our belief in it. It is heartening, though, to see the street protest. It renews my faith in America and Americans.

[dunewalker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', 'I')t is heartening, though, to see the street protest. It renews my faith in America and Americans.

[BigTex]

John Stossel said something last night that caught my attention.

"Crisis is the friend of the state."

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', 'I')'m surprised by the events of the last week, and that surprises me. Most of us have long expected an economic downturn, maybe a depression, and with PO, any possibility has been discussed. What surprises me is how quickly those in charge have begun to take over. I'm referring to what Paulson and the like are doing. Now, its not surprising that in war or an admitted depression, the gov't takes extraordinary measures, but we aren't in a depression, yet they want extraordinary powers.

[jbrovont]

They've also made a blatant bid to usurp the constitution. In a way, this may very well be end-game for them. It's in black and white now, and unlike the Patriot act and other assorted BS, their proposal has been weighed, measured, and rejected by the public before it could be spun.

Once you write a bill to destroy American democracy, and ask for it to be passed, if it doesn't work you can't just back up and go "oops sorry, I didn't really mean that."


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', 'I')'m surprised by the events of the last week, and that surprises me. Most of us have long expected an economic downturn, maybe a depression, and with PO, any possibility has been discussed. What surprises me is how quickly those in charge have begun to take over. I'm referring to what Paulson and the like are doing. Now, its not surprising that in war or an admitted depression, the gov't takes extraordinary measures, but we aren't in a depression, yet they want extraordinary powers.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', 'I')t concerns me that it has taken so little to push them over the democratic edge. They immediately start changing SEC rules, want authority to spend $700 billion with impunity with no regulatory oversight etc.

[PenultimateManStanding]

Isn't it ironic that it's the House Republicans who are holding this boondoggle up? Since the public is so rightfully outraged it won't be long before the House Democrats turn on it too. My guess anyway, but who knows. Sort of a damned if we do and damned if we don't kind of situation anyway.

[eastbay]

It should be clear to everyone here that this bailout won't work as planned. It'll offer a temporary break at best pushing the disaster into the future, but not into the very distant future.

My concern isn't this particular bailout. It's on, and the markets will celebrate for a time allowing the game to briefly continue. No, my interest is in what the US government will do NEXT when they determine this effort has failed. We should all find out shortly and it will no doubt be a real honest to goodness eye opener!

[PenultimateManStanding]

Pretty suspenseful, eh ebay? We heard them say already that they had a deal and that fell apart. Meanwhile the public remains outraged. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if the deal goes through or not. Personally I think it won't and Wachovia and Citibank are the next to fall while the government remains transfixed by the 'eye of the cobra' and paralyzed by indecision. When I heard that Paulson did his little mock knee-bending act to Pelosi to 'lighten tensions' I thought, we're doomed. We've got a three ring circus of clowns in charge.

[Daniel_Plainview]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', ' ') We've got a three ring circus of clowns in charge.

[jato]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')'m surprised by the events of the last week, and that surprises me. Most of us have long expected an economic downturn, maybe a depression

[Iaato]

It's a bit ironic, isn't it, Jato. Paulson and clan have calmed the herds for so long with the meme that "the economy is sound" that they are now having a problem reversing the meme and convincing everyone that, yes, there really is a problem!

[smallpoxgirl]

If you go to Congress.org, the letters to Congress are running 91% against the plan. Meanwhile, Obama and McCain, at the debate, both basically just said they support it. I am flabbergasted. I just can't believe this disconnect. They just don't care. They're going to do what they want, and they just aren't even pretending to care what the citizens think anymore.

[PenultimateManStanding]

Don't forget, SPG, that Senators have 6 year terms while Congressmen have only 2. They are all up for reelection. That's the big differential here.

[Newfie]

God I hope this is wrong but here goes................

My wife and I have each lost both of our parents. In each case they were sick and we knew that they had a limited life span. In some sense we were prepared. Yet....you are not prepared to answer the phone to someone who says "Sir, I'm sorry your Father has died."

You know it is coming, but you live in the moment. Your moment is shattered when you get the call. Surprise.

Somehow this has a similar feel.

[jato]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')hey're going to do what they want, and they just aren't even pretending to care what the citizens think anymore.

[dunewalker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'I')f you go to Congress.org, the letters to Congress are running 91% against the plan. Meanwhile, Obama and McCain, at the debate, both basically just said they support it. I am flabbergasted. I just can't believe this disconnect. They just don't care. They're going to do what they want, and they just aren't even pretending to care what the citizens think anymore.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dunewalker', '
')Paulson's in charge of this wagon now, and he gets what he wants. The candidates are answering to him, not the American public. He WILL wreak revenge on dissidents, especially an incoming administration who chose to let Goldman Sachs down by voting no on the bailout. No administration will be able to survive without cowtowing to GS from here on out.

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'I')sn't it ironic that it's the House Republicans who are holding this boondoggle up? Since the public is so rightfully outraged it won't be long before the House Democrats turn on it too. My guess anyway, but who knows. Sort of a damned if we do and damned if we don't kind of situation anyway.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('threadbear', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'I')sn't it ironic that it's the House Republicans who are holding this boondoggle up? Since the public is so rightfully outraged it won't be long before the House Democrats turn on it too. My guess anyway, but who knows. Sort of a damned if we do and damned if we don't kind of situation anyway.