A few short days ago, ALL the banks were screaming---we need cash. Or better yet, Hank Paulson and crew where shouting, hey banks, take this money.
Well, it seems that makes us all now co-owners of banks. And that means we now have a say (or think we do) in how banks operate. (Banks don't like that part. Because we can openly object to their game. Too bad, the horse is out now.)
So now, Goldman wants to give it's share of TARP money back, with interest of course.
But what does this mean?
So, my bank is not broke.
Did they really need the money in the first place? The sky was falling, remember. They were ALL going under if they didn't get to keep, steal, or whatever word you want, that money.
What I see happening is the inadvertent reality of the banks alternate reality game.
Their collective theme: "Let's make a ton of money on a faulty make-believe game, and when it goes bad, call our favorite co-dependent, Uncle Sam." Only this time, Uncle Sam is not just one dude, his friends have computers and web sites. Uh-oh, this thing is getting out of hand. We can't control it like we used to, say the banks.
The public is talking, stalking, threatening, emailing, and voting. What will we do???
Give it back, says Goldman. Let's go back to the way things were. You know when we could do our dirt and no one rats us out. The days when backroom deals are the norm and nothing goes public (including our addresses) unless we want it to.
It's a new world and apparently the banks don't like it much.
Too late, because now the public is empowered, and for those still holding our money, we now want a say-so in what happens.
Great day!! Don'tcha think?