Neel Kashkari, Bailout Czar, Not A Fan Of Public Questions

When it came time for questions, the former Goldman Sachs executive told the eager audience that he had time for just "two or three."

In response to the first question, about the government's latest lifeline for beleaguered insurance company American International Group, Kashkari gave a clipped response before quickly moving on.

"This morning's action at AIG was a one-off event" that was necessary for the financial stability of the markets, he said. "He didn't say anything that I couldn't have learned from going to the Web site," griped one mortgage entrepreneur. Treasury spokeswoman Jennifer Zuccarelli said it's not unusual for public officials to answer a few questions before moving on. Kashkari's impatient tone comes amid a growing desire for openness about how government agencies, including the Treasury, are handling billions of taxpayer dollars being used to prop up Wall Street.

Read the full story here

-or-

Read up on Neel Kashkari, the former Goldman Sachs exec and current Assistant Secretary of Treasury

Comments

[Clare53]

He look like the devil.

[research]

He looks just like "The Mummy"!!!!

[LBurris597]

Boy oh boy another chuckle-head the American people have to deal with. He kind of looks like Kojak.

[hollybork]

He is no chukle head, but a rocket scientist and mathematical wizard. The issue is where the loyalties lie - to save the financial industry or serve the american people. Paulson and his folks do not speak clearly and fluently enough to know what the heck they want to do and where they are going.

[doctordoubt]

Or what they are doing with our money!

[irisda]

The GOP wants small government, and they're willing to ruin it this way to make their dream happen. I don't know anybody else with so little regard for the public they're SUPPOSED to serve. how sad.

[grizhead63]

Look at that picture again. The Poster Boy for all the arrogant.n­eocons running and ruining the USA. They ALL gotta go.

[TrevorAlan]

Can we just de-authorize the bailout money if it going to be so obviously wasted? can we perhaps demand immediate repayment from companies who took the money and showed us their middle finger.

The answer is probably that we would not want to, but I think the actual threat of doing it might be good for setting people's attitudes in line for the remainder of the bailout.

And if this guy doesn't think he owes the people of the country an answer for what he is doing with their money, he's gotta go.

[bola47]

well it is now official, the united states treasury and all of our money belongs to the wall street cabal. i feel truly sorry for the younger generation of americans who will be paying for this mess long after i am gone.

[lephead]

Isn't it ironic the name of the person in charge of this is "cash and carry?"

[iamjoneskeepupwithme]

paulson practically invented the mortgage-backed security game way back when at goldman, kashkari was protege of paulson at goldman, and now they are at the helm of the bailout conception and implementation?!?!? foxes in charge of the hen house - complete and utter insanity.

[BanStarbucks]

Please someone fire this guy.

[homas]

If this group doesn't soon embrace transparency I want them fired! That's MY money! Hidden deals and Rethug arrogance is out.

[grizhead63]

He doesnt have to answer questions about public money? Why does this wealthy Government public servant hate America and Americans so much? Who is his mentor and sponsor?

[whispurr]

Appropriate name, Kashkari. Is that pronounced Cash-Carry?

[OB-GYN]

Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
House of Representatives: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Dear

It is increasingly apparent that the US is facing unchartered financial times. I ask you to speak up for immediate and complete transparency on the part of the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department by giving details of TARP and the additional two trillion dollars allocated by the Federal Reserve over the last eight weeks to all American citizens as we will ultimately foot the bill. Their current clandestine front may incite greater fear and even more unrest than if accountability is given to the American public.

Furthermore, it appears the lack of financial transparency may be unconstitutional:

"(Article 1, Section 9): No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." (The United States Constitution")

Here are several immediate steps I urge you to consider support of:

1. Do not release any additional funds without revising parts of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to eliminate bonus payments, etc.

2. Strengthen transparency requirements.

3. Stop giving money to banks that are sufficiently capitalized.

4. Reverse recent changes to section 382 tax law.

The "no taxation without representation" of the past might today be voiced as "no taxation without transparency and accountability".

Sincerely,

[Chavez08]

Didn't Brendan Fraser already take care of this guy in the first Mummy?????

[Transplanted]

Chavezo8

Too funny!!!

[vincefango]

CLASSIC!! But in all seriousnes­s...this mess is getting out of hand. We are STILL giving money to the wealthiest and the govt. seems to think that these guys can be trusted with it. Haven't we learned our lesson? Apparently not.

[JeanneInMinneapolis]

Another arrogant alpha male who's been slurping at the money river too long.