Comments on: House rejects bailout, keeps financial crisis on front page

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:42:55 +0000

Kosmas should watch herself. She is a realitor and she voted many times while she was in the State House for financial gain. She is now a Real Estate Millionaire as a result. I truly hope that she gets her tail kicked. I can never vote for a party hack.

I we want change in this country we need to take a stand and vote for the people and not the money. There is now t

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:54:33 +0000

The Dems should just pass a free-market bailout, insurance not taxpayer funded.And quit listening to these scare tactics about not being able to use your credit card tomorrow. I disagree with the Repub. 99.9% of the time, but they got this one right.

By: dsimon

dsimon — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:09:01 +0000

Blaming the outcome on Pelosi is absurd. Yes, maybe she shouldn’t have said what she said (though what she said wasn’t so terrible, since she mostly bashed Bush for a bit and said in passing that some Republicans supported him). But for anyone to change his or her vote over it? I thought Republicans were “country first” these days, which would have required those who were offended to denounce Pelosi’s comments and vote yes anyway. If they voted no because of them, then they’re children with no business being in Congress.

As for McCain, if he thought the financial crisis was important enough to “suspend” his campaign until there was a resolution, and there still isn’t a resolution, shouldn’t he re-suspend his campaign and go back to DC until there is a resolution? I mean, he was serious about this problem, right?

By: fritz

fritz — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:40:10 +0000

Perhaps the Democrates need to do this on there own. Put back the the bankruptcy legislation and acorn provisions (Whatever they are?) and get whatever Republican support they can. Wall Street and the White House will scream, but be forced to sign on. In the short term some voters may be angry but if it works the Democrates will be the saviors. Obama could lead the charge and McCain would be forced to support or oppose; either one a bad option. I understand this plan seems farfetched but these are desparate times and it’s just an idea.

By: zoot

zoot — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:05:42 +0000

Gerard, the problem is that many congressmen/women in both parties gamed their votes, based on voter anger which was understandable but sadly misinformed. We can roll out the tumbrils to bring the villains to the guillotine a little later. Right now, we have a world-wide credit crisis, and we needed to do something about it pronto. (The Australian market opened shortly before I wrote this and tumbled 4% in the first 15 minutes.)

I’m a Democrat and harbor no illusons about the GOP - please don’t blow in our ears about how Pelosi injured their sensitive feelings to the point that they acted against national interest in retaliation. However I’m furious at the Demo Left which cooperated in cratering a bill that was probably as good as we’re going to get in present circumstances.

Kucinich and his gang wold just as soon wave the bloody battle flag from the ramparts as make good decisions. They’re no less dogmatic and rigid than Cantor and his crew of scoundrels.

If they don’t get this squared away fast, a lot of voters who are marching around waving placards will be unable to borrow money or use their credit cards, and some significant number of them will be looking for work at Taco Bell. Sure, W was AWOL and Paulson did a horrid job explaining this, but we’ve seen enough examples of stupidity, anger and outrage as a substitute for intelligent thinking. It’s time to use our brains - and to elect people to Congress who do, instead of worrying about their polling data.

By: Taniel

Taniel — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:51:22 +0000

Gerard,

One thing about American politics is that the overwhelming majority of incumbents are unlikely to fall below 60% whatever they do, whatever happens. Most of those that were even vaguely at risk have voted “no.” A few haven’t, and that will be exploited by their opponents - though some of the challengers have also voiced some kind of support for the bailout.

By: fritz

fritz — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:46:33 +0000

I wonder what those who voted against this bill will do next week when factories start laying off workers because the can’t buy materials to build whatever they are building or meet payroll. Calls may switch from 300-1 against to 300-1 for passing the bill.
McCain is in a box. He said he would get the bill passed and he failed. Now he owns it. Even if the bill gets passed in a few days it takes him off message. He will be tied up trying to get Republican support to pass the bill and dealing with the growing sence of panic over the Palin situation.

By: gerard

gerard — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:45:58 +0000

Taniel,

I apologize if I paraphrased you incorrectly. My point is that a lot of members who are in “safe” seats are going to be in a tough spot on election day. No one I talk to has any sympathy for Wall Street. No one in either party has made a convincing case for why this should be passed. It takes a certain arrogance on the part of Washington pols to think they can push this through and we will all be fine with it.

By: Taniel

Taniel — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:37:22 +0000

Gerard,

I never said that it will be a way because both sides were split. I said that it will not affect most congressional races because most endangered congressmen voted against it, thus depriving their opponent of an effective argument.

By: gerard

gerard — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:25:55 +0000

You are incorrect in saying that because both sides were split on the vote, that it will be a wash. In fact, many members of Congress from both parties are going to be dumped on election day. This bailout was a huge deal, big numbers, yet never really explained to the American public. Why wasn’t President Bush on the road explaining this bill and drumming up support for it with the public. In fact, on Sunday, he was on the road taking a 2 hour bicycle ride. The entire bill was negotiated in private. The corporate big shots will be sure to profit from this. There is a lot of blame to go around. What is the role of hedge funds in pushing the markets to obscenely high numbers? Why was Goldman Sachs able to buy WAMU for a mere pittance. Why is Warren Buffett able to go shopping and buy shares in companies if there is no money around? There is plenty of money around.