Almost 200 academic economists — who aren’t paid by the institutions that could directly benefit from the plan but who also may not have recent practical experience in the markets — have signed a petition organized by a University of Chicago professor objecting to the plan on the grounds that it could create perverse incentives, that it is too vague and that its long-run effects are unclear.
The Huffington Post lists 5 reasons to vote AGAINST the bailout bill:
BAILOUT’S INHERENT FISCAL INSANITY COULD MAKE PROBLEM WORSE
EXPERTS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SAY THIS BAILOUT COULD MAKE THINGS WORSE
THERE ARE CLEARLY BETTER AND SAFER ALTERNATIVES
ANY INCUMBENT VOTING FOR THIS PUTS THEMSELVES AT RISK OF BEING THROWN OUT OF OFFICE
CORRUPTION AND SLEAZE ARE SWIRLING AROUND THESE BAILOUTS – AND AMERICA KNOWS IT
Now, I know a lot of those opposing this bill are the free market wheelers whose ideas got us here in the first place. But I can’t help but think this is Bush’s economic Iraq war pitch all over again. At least the money will be phased in giving lawmakers the chance to nix future lump sums of tax payer money heading to Wall Street.
If you are so inclined, read the text of the bill here.
Smart move keeping the pressure up to hold these debates. The American people, the whole system needs these debates. Now, we have word that the McCain camp wants to push back the Biden-Palin v.p. debates. Sounds like desperation to me too. Glad to see Obama acting like the leader he is.
Wow, what a weak performance. Though it’s not like she’s got a lot to work with, what with trying to defend John McCain’s de-regulation corporate friendly approach to economics over the past 20 years. Still, it’s kind of painful to watch her stumble through this. Hat’s off to Couric for pressing her on specifics:
When asked in this NBC interview how many e-mails he sent, he said he lost count at 10 trillion. This is why spam will never disappear. What startles me even more is that there are enough ignorant people out there to click on a spam e-mail to make one guy $20K a day!
Senator John McCain’s campaign manager was paid more than $30,000 a month for five years as president of an advocacy group set up by the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to defend them against stricter regulations.
This is near insulting to sit here and listen to John claim to be a reformer or a maverick when it’s to blatantly false. To sit there and listen to him claim to want more regulation in the market is just so dishonest…
This smacks of opportunism as an attempt to consolidate power into the executive branch. The bail-out package from the White House scares me in its blatant lack of accountability and oversight. From the Huffington Post, “32 words that none dare utter”:
Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.
What the hell is this? Ladies and gents, without the oversight of the legislative and judicial branch, you know what we’ve got… Yes, this we’ve seen this in our foreign policy, but now policy? This is un-nerving.
Talk about hope. Yeah, Barack’s got it. But so does Michael Moore in his new film he’s making free to everyone, slackers and over-achievers alike. Yeah, it looks like a lot of fluff, even for a Michael Moore documentary. But I would surmise it’s purpose is to codify an identity and battle cry for disaffected 20 and 30 somethings.
Awhile back, I had some brief discussion here with a poster around Carson’s association with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. After the exchange, I was curious how the Carson office would respond to the general question of CAIR and Carson. Would they re-direct the association? Would the deny it? Would they even respond? So, I gave them a call. The office aide on the phone was extremely pleasant and tried to answer what she could. She said she would pass my general inquiry on to someone else in the office and they would get back with me. Yeah right, I thought. Much to my delight and surprise, I got an e-mail from someone in Carson’s office asking me to call them at my earliest convenience.
The phone conversation was again, very pleasant. I asked for any links she could officially share about the ‘truth’ behind CAIR. She pointed me straight to a page of urban myth’s CAIR’s website. In my mind, this speaks volumes. Despite any perceived controversy behind CAIR and Carson’s association with the organization, their office still embraces the awareness and education this organization provides the country. I think it’s safe to assume that if there was any legitimate controversy with CAIR, Carson’s office would not openly reference the organization’s own site for the truth. Hat’s off to Carson’s office for returning my call and kudos to Carson being direct on its endorsement of CAIR. Thanks, “gals in Carson’s office”, for keeping the idea that our Congresspersons are accessible and direct!
Andre Carson joined president Bush on the 17th in wishing Muslims around the world, “Ramadan Mubarak.” The White House held it’s annual dinner celebrating the month of Ramadan, a tradition started by the Bush White House. Carson was in attendance and received a nod from the President in his introductions.
A few words from the President’s opening remarks:
According to the teachings of Islam, Ramadan commemorates the revelation of God’s word in the Holy Koran to the prophet Mohammad. The word has become the foundation for one of the world’s great religions. Today more than a billion Muslims around the globe celebrate the month of Ramadan with daily fasting, heartfelt prayer, and acts of charity.
During Ramadan, we are reminded of Islam’s long and distinguished history. Throughout the centuries, the Islamic world has been home to great centers of learning and culture. Muslim thinkers and scientists have advanced the frontiers of human knowledge. People of all faiths have benefited from the achievements of Muslims in fields from philosophy and poetry to mathematics and medicine.
At the beginning of a new century, Muslims in the United States are continuing this proud tradition of innovation and invention. Tonight we honor members of the Muslim community who’ve risen to the top of their professions. Among our guests are individuals with wide-ranging accomplishments — from working on the Apollo Program, to pioneering advances in healthcare and medicine, to developing cutting-edge applications for the Internet.
