You all remember the proposed $700 billion bailout plan was first scrapped by Congress by a vote of 228-205? Then Congress then revisited the plan and hammered out a deal.Remember?
Has the plan worked as it was projected?
The short answer is no.
Irrespective of one's political affiliation, I believe the people have grown weary of empty rhetoric and promises. It's time for some meaningful results. I think if something isn't achieved soon we'll be headed for another Great Depression.
The government is supposed to be "by the people, for the people." We now see the latter isn't true. It's about government control and big business.
If you work hard for your earnings and pay taxes, you should have a voice in how your dollars are allocated. In short, if the American people will be affected by such a vast decision by Congress, the people whom it will affect should be involved in the decision-making process.
Doesn't that make sense?
Big businesses have been bailed out with tax-payer money. The economy is still in ruins and everybody is scratching their heads wondering what the heck is going on.
I didn't agree with it then and I certainly don't agree with it now: It made absolutely no sense to give big businesses money that already had money at the expense of the American people. Listen, I'm not talking Democrat or Republican, African-American or white. I'm talking about everyone on some level is being royally screwed. People are sick and tired have become disenchanted with the government.
Who is to blame here?
Is it President Barack Obama?
Is it George W. Bush who left a mess a million times bigger than the current oil spill on the Gulf Coast on President Obama's desk?
Many believe the overall state of the economy is much worse than it's being reported in the media. It's time for the American people to wake up and see we are being socially engineered to focus on things to keep us from being fully aware of how bad things really are.
Historically, the government has been substantially more hypocritical than just. This isn't about racism, sexual orientation, crime, or sports. It's never been about the people and solving societal ills. It's been about power, money and greed and the government misallocating taxpayer dollars.
When the interest of big business is on the line, the government steps in and swiftly bails them out. Why isn't the government bailing out the millions of Americans who need it?
Why hasn't the government created a situation to help those who really need it?
You see, it's not about taking care of the American people, it's about government taking care of itself and aiding big business with taxpayer dollars.
The humanistic thing to do would be to help the American people save their homes, keep their jobs and provide comprehensive health care for everyone. The latter will stimulate the economy by inducing constructive citizen participation.
Bottom line: If giants businesses like AIG got $85 billion to continue doing business in the past how come the government can't give us some of our money back so we can continue to live in the future?
If I were in charge I'd provide the people with what's needed now. The people need affordable housing, gainful employment, lower food and gas prices and adequate health care.
How?
I'd use the tax money taken from the citizens over the years for the people instead of big business. I'd allocate funds the same way the government issued those pitiful stimulus checks but today I'd do it with swift precision. The people would have checks cut within a week. I'd provide every household with a minimum $10 thousand for hard times like this.
Next, I'd give every homeowner a six- to 12-month moratorium on mortgage payments. Those who are in foreclosure will get six months and those who aren't would get 12. The people can allocate the funds they'd use to make mortgage payments toward erasing other debt and raise their credit scores.
Also, I would get the homeless off the street. There's something fundamentally wrong for homelessness to pervade in a society that professes democratic values. If we can fund a meaningless war abroad at $10 billion a month, we can afford to provide shelter for human beings here.
My plan would cost approximately $15 billion: That's just $5 billion more that what it costs us to fund the war in Iraq for one month.
If someone has something better let's hear it, because if something isn't done fast we'll be facing the nation's second Great Depression.
Who is to blame for this state of affairs?
President Obama is the likely candidate, right? He created the stimulus bill. Congress passed it and here we are.
Well, it goes deeper than that. The Bush Administration created much of what existed pre-Obama. President Obama inherited the biggest mess in American history. I've not agreed with some of his rhetoric or ideas but at least I can say he's doing a lot better job than the guy he replaced.
What do you think?