The Official Presidential Debate Thread (Round 2)

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

We are facing perhaps the greatest financial crisis in the entire history of our country; a crisis that could entail the collapse of thousands of businesses, the firing of millions of Americans, the break up of families, people going hungry, etc. and you're foremost concerned about punishing a few CEOs? Your opinion of the bailout shouldn't be based on a desire to punish bad businessmen, it should be based on a desire to make sure that the rest of us don't get hurt by their poor decisions.

I think we are really blowing this out of proportion. No legitimate economist has said that we were headed for another depression if we didn't pass a bailout. (perhaps I'm wrong, but I haven't seen it.) Mass sectors of the populace were not making runs on banks and depleting them of their funds. Yes, there is economic hardship but from my way of thinking that requires a national "tightening of the belt" and frugality. This is just an ugly precedent that's been set and I truly worry for the future consequences of this "bailout." Look a little closer, AIG is now asking for BILLIONS (again, that's not just a word, it's a massive effing number) more. What happened with that? Simple, they realized they could get it, so why not ask? Do you really believe that this isn't going to continue? The cookie jar is open, my friend, and every greedy, unethical corporate type with the authority to do so is going to shove their slimy fist inside. It's human nature, you can't escape it.
This bailout was pushed through in EXACTLY the same spirit as the patriot act. Massive scare tactics and a sudden sense of urgency on the part of the government. I don't understand how no one can see the parallels.