Keith O., Rachel M, if you're lurking around, please consider having Congressman Alan Grayson on Countdown or The Rachel Maddow Show.
He seems to fathom what the economic meltdown is all about. He gets into the details. He talks in complete sentences and asks questions we want answered.
Recently, he grilled Citicorp exec Vikram Pandit, and I have to say it is nauseating to listen to Pandit nitpick and sidestep the issues while Grayson tries to get to the truth. Watch with me below.
This hearing took place on February 11, 2009, featuring eight major Wall Street bank CEOs as witnesses. Rep. Alan Grayson, Democrat from Florida's 8th, read comments from angry constituents and asked Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit about the terms of the government assistance his firm received.
Pandit stalls and makes exceptions to waste Alan's precious time, trying to dodge the issue.
Congressman Grayson: A billion here, a billion there, soon we'll be talking real money, Mr. Pandit.
Mr. Pandit: Congressman, we bought insurance from the United States government . . .
Congressman Grayson: You call it insurance, but that word doesn't appear anywhere in this document, does it?
It doesn't.
Congressman Grayson: You get 100% of the upside and the government gets 90% of the downside. Correct?
Mr. Pandit: That is what the insurance contract is designed to do.
Congressman Grayson: Have you heard the phrase, Mr. Pandit, "Heads I win, tails you lose"?
Mr. Pandit: I appreciate that Congressman. I don't think that applies here.
It does.
I've taken to wearing a hat while blogging so I won't pull my hair out. Collective Munch scream anyone? AAAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Rachel? Keith? Anyone? Anyone? Please give Congressman Grayson the opportunity to tell American taxpayers about TARP. Please.
To support Congressman Grayson, you may visit his website or Act Blue.