" Wall Street Weasels make millions of dollars in campaign contributions and spend millions more on lobbyists 'to get access'.

And it has paid off handsomely for them, hasn't it?

I noticed that local Congressman Mike Thompson, along with John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden voted for the 'pork-enhanced-sweetened' version of the Wall Street Weasel Bailout Bill.

It's going to be interesting to hear Mike Thompson's reply to the next funding request for expanding healthcare coverage for children if it includes any Bluff-n-Guff about 'fiscal responsibility' won't it?

~Ruff "

" This whole event was dumped in our laps with the statements that the world finance system was clooapsing, the pension systems were under immediate siege and other forecasts of doo if we didn't act and implement the three page Burnanke-Paulson plan immediately. Well the plan went from there to 110 pages in the House and finally 450+ pages in the Senate. By the time it emerged from the process the only elements who were protected were the big money operations and big contributing special interest groups. As usual, the American working person was on the short end of the stick again. Time will tell but in my opinion any profits realizes will be blown by the politicians on some zanny pet project. "

" Yvette, the one thing to understand from the bailout fiasco is that GOVERNMENT was the cause of the problem to start with. Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac were government sponsored entities and they bought up and resold half of all the worthless mortgages in the country. The regulators who tried to intervene were prevented by the Democrats in Congress.

Social Security was started by the government and run by the government. The government took all the money and SPENT it on other things.

A perfect example of why the government shouldn't run our healthcare (or anything else important).

How someone can look at what's happening and even think that MORE government is the answer is simply amazing... "

" Boy, when Democrats and Republicans (American people) all start to agree with each other, that we're mad as he11 at our elected public "servants" I do believe it's finally time for a third party, one that represents all Americans intelligently, compassionately, and faithfully.

When steph agrees with Ruff? Man, it's time! "

" If the banks had been allowed to continue failing, it would have severely affected your ability to get a mortgage, or car loan or college tuition loan. So, this bailout helps the average citizen also.
The "trillions" of dollars are not being spent, they are invested in real property which some day will be worth more. It's a win-win. The taxpayers will benefit in several ways. "

" The government should bail out the banks because this is a government of the people, and the people are the ones who are defaulting on all there mortgages that they promised to pay back when they signed there loan papers. If the people didn't decide to walk away from there homes then this wouldn't be happending, so now the Peoples government is bailing out the banks that the people are ruining. Its pretty clear and dry to me "

" Steph: I have to say, even I agreed with Ruff's post, which makes me shake my head! "

" Some of those people derfaulting are not even citizens. Those institutions should fail and go under. It will us who has to pay the money back.

I sure hope they prosecute some of Wall Street, Raines, Garelick, and a few others for this mess. But as long as it was Dem caused no Dems will go down. "

" Raines, Gorelick, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd. I also believe as taxpayers/investors, we should insist that ALL politicians should have to return every dime of the money they took from Freddie and Fannie, starting with one of the biggest beneficiaries Barrack Obama. "

" John Richards wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:48 AM:".....The taxpayers will benefit in several ways. "

Name one..... There is nothing in the bill that's a payback to taxpayers, just to mortgage leeches......

Try reading the bill and then make a conclusion... I did... These people like Frank and Dodd and Pelosi are in the CYA mode, and could care less about what happens to the rest of us.....

What flavor Kool Aid do you like best...??? BSNBC, PBS, CBS...???

Common man, unplug from the drive bye's.... There's a whole world of reality out there... "

" In response to Napkins comment "government of the people, and the people are the ones who are defaulting on all their mortgages."

You're wrong. Homes are an individual choice of purchase, just like a car or boat. In fact, when homes lose value, the loss cannot be written off because it's considered a "personal" property issue, just like any other purchase. Just because it's a high priced purchase does not mean that the rest of us should automatically become responsible for losses.

No, I do not see how you can conclude that mortgage defaults are a "we the people" problem. Those who were greedy enough to make a profit off of subprime borrowers all for the purpose of gaining a few extra percentage points rather than loaning to 20% down strong borrowers at a lower rate are the ones to blame for mistakes. Those who were foolish enough to purchase highly inflated homes at uncertain interest rates with the expectation that they would profit big time; they also deserve to pay the consequences. Why should I pay for someone's foolish purchase or lending mistake? Why are we so afraid of allowing people to pay consequences? This is like socialism for the corporate world. Unreal. "

" As the dust settles in this mortgage mess one thing has become crystal clear. McCain voted for it, Obama voted for it and so did Joe Biden. For all of you looking for hope and change, you now know what you have to look forward to. My only question is does Sarah Palin have the courage not to vote for it? "

" easy to say that cab-e-girl...since she didn't have the chance to vote on it...and I would wager she would have as well.... "

" Raven- Say what you would like about Palin, but 1. She is not afraid to go up against the good old boy network and 2. Your guy Obama joined the good old boy network by voting for it. How much hope for change do you have in him now? "

" and your guy McCain voted for it as well, Cab-e-girl, and he is the one running for Pres how does that equate with being an agent for change...of being a maverick..?

and I view the votes as necessary evils.....after my research, I came to the reluctant opinion the bill was needed....not that it was a great bill, but politics is the art of the possible and this was the best bill that could "PASS" in the time needed...

the ones I have no respect for are those congressman who voted no last Monday, not because they thought it was a bad plan but because they didn't like Pelosi's speech before the vote, ...shows me how much they put their 'country first' "

" The one's I have no respect for are the one's who voted nay on Monday, awknowleging this was a bad bill, and then turned around and voted aye on Friday for a bill that had the exact same "protections" except now it had an additional $150 Billion in pork. "

" How will the taxpayers benefit? Simple. The government acquires mortgages at bargain prices, than sells those same mortgages 10-20 years down the road at appreciated prices. "

" Raven, what was even worse than the congressmen who reacted negatively to Pelosi's speech was Pelosi's decision to make that highly partisan speech at a critical juncture when a bipartisan spirit was needed. "

" Heck, Obama 's hands are pretty dirty in this whole affair....much dirtier than McCains...But they all have dirty hands when looking at this issue. Palin is the only one in this election not tainted by this whole mess. "

" never said she made a wise choice in making the speech... but to vote no on a vital piece of legislation because your feelings are hurt?.....wave that country first banner now, come on, grow up "

" Raven: McCain is not my guy, I am voting for him only because Palin is on the ticket. Still haven't gotten an answer about your hope for change on the Obama/Biden ticket with both of them voting for the bailout. "

" my hope for change.....is a change from the failed policies of the Bush administration which your woman Palin has wrapped herself in... "

" Change in this country is impossible! With only two parties to choose from. It does not take much thinking to figure this one out. Any of you that think Palin is any better are just very dumb. Niether party is going to pick someone for thier running mate that does not conform to thier way of thinking! duh! Goverment is a bussiness and the people that run this bussiness are out to do what ever is best for them. Not the people of the united states. We are here to serve them and make thier life better.History shows that. Did you all not go to school. People in goverment have money and they are going to keep it that way. We need a third party and a forth and so on. "

" To vote for either party is a joke to me. The politians are laughing at us right now. To be a american at this time in history is a sad thing. Every other country see,s this. You can't believe what you reed in the papers , or on the tv. All propaganda. You here what they decide to tell you . We are pupets. Travel to other countries and here what they say. Thier on the outside looking in, thats a better view. "

" I think we should just bail ourselves out...like, refusing to pay taxes. "

" If everyone voted for other parties, that would set a new era on politics.
I think if you make over $100,000 you should not be allowed to be in any gov position. And there should be a salary cap on all gov positions. I don't get a raise every year, or whenever I feel like padding my pockets, and the pockets of all my friends. And I certainly don't get tax write-offs. But Raven will tell you that you're wrong and that "life isn't fair, grow-up..." She should listen to her own advice for once and be quiet! That's the nice way of saying "QUIT PUTTING EVERYONE ELSE DOWN!!!"
We all have the right to our opinion, Raven! "

" Com on NVR print my comment back to Raven. All she does is rip on everyone elses comments. Why are hers printed???? And mine not! Maybe she's one of you. I know she's one of them.
(McCain/Obama/Bush?Clinton) they are all the same. Socialist nazi wannabes that think they know it all.
Must be a very lonely life you live.
all-knowing gods and goddesses that will live forever... "