Welfare for Big Business - "free market" for the rest of us

[Pixsurguy]

For more years than I care to remember, Repubs have chanted "less government, more 'free market capitalism', competition is the answer, survival of the fittest, etcetera.

Those assertions were their basis for saying to Americans who suffered through job outsourcing, plant closures so the company could move offshore, recessions, unaffordable health care, and loss of value to savings should pull up our socks and give money to the wealthy so they could trickle on us.

Wonder of wonders !!! Now that the Repubs' buddies on Wall Street are in trouble, all of the nonsense about free market goes down the tubes. Wall Street gets what will end up as more than a TRILLION DOLLARS of corporate welfare, while Americans who have lost their jobs, their savings, and their homes need to quit being a nation of whiners. BY THE WAY - don't think that the 700 billion that Bush has quoted is the end of the line. Oh no, do you think that they will limit the bailout just to Wall Street (and don't forget the 85 billion already given to insurance giant AIG)? Get real - they've already pledged some 30 Billion Dollars in unsecured "low interest loans" to the auto industry. Do you really think that the rest of corporate America is not going to be in line for their handouts? There are already LEGIONS of new lobbyists in Washington trying to get a bailout for their clients, too.

Oh, the "nation of whiners" comment? That came from Phill Gramm, the Repub. "conservative" who up until recently was McCain's main economic adviser. That's what his answer is to those of us ordinary people who will bail out Wall Street with OUR money - probably more than $10,000 per household. The Wall Street and AIG bailouts are not mere loans, but are GIFTS to the greedy pigs who brought this about.

So - that is wonderful free-market capitalism for ordinary Americans, but welfare for Wall Street.

[Don'tLikeStinkingThinking]

Pix et al

I have been researching and listening to the bullshit spewed about the 'bailout,' I as a citizen that frankly has some major concerns regarding how this deal is pulled off as an investor, much less a tax payer.

Frankly in either role I haven't heard anything yet that makes me want to write a blank check, no matter what they attached to it.

I may be speaking out of my arse but perhaps Flynn as an economist can give me a better understanding as WHY I should bail them out, even if it means a major chuck of my lifetimes saving and retirement are at stake.

Currently I would rather let it crash and lose my investment monies then to simply write another check to the fat cats of this country and frankly other country's fat cats too.

Someone please tell me why I should endorse such a bailout. I have already signed petitions, called all congresspersons, Mayor, Governor, large member groups I belong to expressing my concern and desire to let the chips fall were they may. It will hurt all of us for a while, but frankly I believe we are hurting much more than we have been lead to believe...

How many organizations/business can we allow a Republican Administration which opposes social welfare, but is all for corporate welfare. I can't make it fit in my little mind.

Will this change the old guard platform to endorse being more Christian like and help our neighbors by teaching them to fish as opposed to giving them a fish? Cause this to me is one big 'Sucker fish' for Wall Street!

[indianajoe]

Birk for president!!!!!!
The Birk Economic Recovery PLan

Hi Pals,

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in
a We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000
bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman
and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a
We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it'll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - cr eate jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company
that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out
a puny $1000.00 ( 'vote buy' ) economic ince ntive that is being proposed by
one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S
Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion
We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington
DC .

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5
Billion is returned
instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

Birk

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic


PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for a
laugh
or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

[Don'tLikeStinkingThinking]

IJOE seems like the best plan so far....I talk with everybody I have eye contact with, I know one of those crazy guys and no one yet has agreed to the bail out from a citizen's perspective.