Bruce Buchanan wrote:

Yes; this is one of those weird, rare pieces of controversial legislation that didn't fall neatly along party lines. You had Pelosi and Bush both lobbying for the bailout and many Republicans and Democrats voting against it.

***

Kind of reminds me of the battle over the North American Free Trade Agreement.

President Clinton and most Congressional Republicans supported it.

Most Congressional Democrats opposed it.  Public opposition to NAFTA was highlighted by the infamous Halloween Coalition: Ralph Nader, Jesse Jackson, Ross Perot and Patrick Buchanan.

I think it boils down to my summary on the previous page - the bottom line is that the banks need to be kept open to keep the stocks from reaching a certain nadir whereby credit becomes non-profitable, and thus, credit is eliminated, thus crippling the American economy.

I think that's why people were supporting the "bailout" - not to help fat cats stay fat - to keep the economy afloat.

People opposed it because a talking point came out that this was just screwing the tax payer and dodging personal responsibility - which, yes, in fact, it was, but look at the options.

The funny thing is - this talking point went across the board - it wasn't of the left or right - as noted - I listen to a lot of right wing radio - where I live it's all they got - some right wing shows were bitching about the tax burden, while others were stressing the need to get this done at any cost.  Then I went home this weekend, to San Francisco, and heard the left wing radio reply - and same thing!  Some hosts were fanning the flames of tax burden to the working man, while others were saying "STFU, we need to get this fixed!"

So... you know.  I'm at a loss for what to do, but I am assured that the economy could have been salvaged, but for people playing politics on both sides of the isle.

Now - having gotten that out of the way - let's move on to more upbeat and informative talk.

Are you guys all up to date on your Hobo lore and ways?  Sure, sure, you think it's easy ridin' the rails, carrying all you own in a bindle-stiff and eating beans in a can by the side of the road, looking for Nice Ladies who give out free pie, but there's so much more you need to know.

There's a whole Hobo code and naming convention.  There's self-preservation and defense.  There's scenarios of what to do if your idiot man-child traveling companion kills his pet mouse. 

And don't get me started on the Hobo Bartering system...

Anyway - my 'bo name is San Francisco Mike.  I'm layin' claim to the western territories.   

Well, no, my understanding is that we need to keep the banks and lending institutions open, or else the credit market will dry up and most of what we do - buy cars, homes, open businesses, go to school, etc, is done on credit.

I get where you're coming from, and I'm not gonna lie - I'm no Michael Retour or Meyers, but... that's my understanding of this so called "bailout".

Oh, and, you know, to clarify - the idea of sitting around the fire eating beans is the Hobo lore that Waits was singing about - he didn't invent hobo lore - he's referencing it in song.  Or am I mis-reading your post?

And Ray - that's true, but sometimes you have to shank a 'bo to get said Top Hat.

Bonus points if the Top Hat was Masonic.