I thought I was the only one around here feeling a little unnerved by the BIG talk of the bailout and how its Americas last hope. I should've known my fellow Kos Diarists were there with me (I just sent an e-mail to Senator Schumer via the link provided on this website).
I admit I haven't read the fine details but neither has anyone outside of the guys who wrote it - Bernanke, the Treasury Secretary and Bush. Yet there seems to be a consensus that this is the right thing to do?? Stop. Push the Brakes! In the words of our 43rd President "Fool me once and shame on you, fool me twice welluh-you cant be fooled twice!" . I was NOT fooled by the fake reason for war in Iraq but the majority of Americans were and for that matter Congress and the Senate.
So in light of recent history, my plea is simple. Please, please read the damn thing before signing. Thats it. Just read it. If it doesnt make sense Washington, then dont sign it. No matter what the scare tactics are, dont be ruled by fear. Don't let fear cloud your judgement. Clear thinking is the only way out of this one. Not panic (paging Mr. McCain).
If the cost of necessities still remain out of reach for most of Americans, then the bailout will be a like a band-aid on a tumor. Pure and simple. Forget the subprime loans caused this whole thing reasoning. Anyone on Main Street can tell you what REALLY caused it. (1) Houses were too damned expensive. They werent worth half of what they were going for at the housing peak and they're worth much less now. If we pay market price for these houses we're getting stiffed. And a bigger crisis will be right around the corner because the Average Joe still wont be able to afford their mortgage payment. (2) Gas and food prices are high. I mean really high. Just think when Bushie took office gas was like what a buck fifty? Now its over 4 bucks. Bread, Milk and essential food items are also on the rise. The cost of day to day life is to expensive for us Main Streeters. So if this isnt somehow accounted for with this bailout then Voila! the crisis shows up again in about a year or so. (3) The American people are working harder (take a look at the productivity numbers) and getting much less for their hard work. Both parents have to work just to put food on the table. Childcare cost are through the roof. We were bound to say "Enough!" sooner or later. Wall Street finally caught on. So if the cost of living and a work/life balance isn't considered in this bailout...then undoubtedly the crisis will show up again.
All I'm saying to the Senate and Congress is use some common sense when it comes to this thing. Think about short and long term. Think about what really caused this crisis besides the obvious de-regulating of the industry.
One last thing. I'm just happy that at least on the democratic side we have a candidate this is thoughtful. That does have common sense. That doesnt cower to 'scare tactics'....he wasn't fooled when it came to Iraq and I believe - scratch that - I KNOW he wont be fooled this time.