Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Rlouden, Bellevue, Wash — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:38:07 GMT

You forgot to add in the monthly and total cost of the Wars were in. Add that into what the taxpayers are spending for the bailout and figure this into what we might have on reserve or spent on other economic programs.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

JAVIER SAN ANTONIO — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:38:19 GMT

LET'S VOTE THESE REPUBLICAN BUMS OUT NOV.4 LET'S SHOW THEM WHO THE BOSS IS!!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Nashville_fan — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:38:22 GMT

Well, I guess we can see where the Republcan Parties priorities are right there. Need money for war or bankers - no problem!

Need money for health care or saving poor people from a hurrican? That's the "states" responsibility.

Reminds me of a phrase I heard a local radio personality use last week to describe those who claim to be Christians, but have no problem lying to get what they want: hypo-christians.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Rick, NC — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:38:56 GMT

Everyone notice how the top spending goes to wall street, defense and nuclear...way down at the bottom is a measly 10 billion that Magoo wants to spend on healthcare...

You see, republicans like mccain love america and hate americans

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Suz In KS — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:39:58 GMT

Wow! When you put it that way...h*ll no! Okay seriously. Its a difficult and bitter pill for those of us who are renting because we can't even afford to buy a house and now because of this probably can't get loans for YEARS to come...but if we have to pay for huge exec salaries and golden parachutes (for people owing many mansions), don't have the oversight to protect our tax dollars, no plan to stop more bailouts, and don't have a decent plan to recoup losses...then its going to be impossible to swallow. The dems are doing a great job of looking at both the cause and solution to this. And I also completely understand the republican hold outs over doing anything at all. But it seems like we've got to do something-just as long as it ISN'T a huge give away to the rich and powerful.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Nashville_fan — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:40:01 GMT

And yet John McCain says he can STILL cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans AND balance the budget in his first term.

John McCain has no grasp of reality. None.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

LoOK — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:40:16 GMT

Am I the only one who feels this is not the end of this mess?

$700 billion today, but how much tomorrow.

There has been no leadership in any sector of this country for much too long now.

We have to do better for the future of all of us

http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

ujw, ny — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:40:38 GMT

There's something very wrong when a single individual makes more than 875 families combined!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

happy, boston, ma — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:41:10 GMT

haha FR has quite a sense of humor today; thanks for including the ohio median income

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

LA in Denver — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:41:18 GMT

Makes me want to break down and cry.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Lynn Cheney — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:42:49 GMT

But Where is Sarah? And why is she so frightened of questions.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Ralph Malph — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:43:20 GMT

Here's my bailout plan:

Cut off all of the double and triple dippers inside and out of government like mccain at the knees...

I always love them when they say we should make it on our own and we find out they are on the tapxayer dole...same goes for any of you tough talking flag waving faux patriots...don't be on the dole and complaining about taxpayers, we might decide to stop paying your welfare

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Erik, Mechanicsburg, PA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:43:37 GMT

Let's be really silly and vote in another Republican, just for kicks! Who's with me?

Okay, nobody in their right mind's gonna do that.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Dave in Omaha — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:43:40 GMT

Watching Sec. Paulson put a figurative gun to the American taxpayers' heads on national TV? Priceless.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Midwest Mom — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:45:28 GMT

Good numbers.

I saw a great article today on the Wall St. bailout compared to our aid in Darfur. It is staggering how much cash we're willing to throw at these firms when there is genocide happening in other parts of the world.

Perspective is a good thing!

------------
10 Debate questions I hope to hear
http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

RD Portland, OR — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:45:34 GMT

What about the addition of the Bears/Sterns (sp) and Fannie/Freddie. That should be added to the $700B.

I hope when they are limiting "Exectutive" pay they go down far enough in the operation to catch all the upper level management, lobbyists and board members. It's not just the "big guys" that racked in the dough that I'm now going to have to pay for.

Oh, and, these are the folks most likely supporting McCain. They know he is a soldier for them. Such a good soldier.

Sorry, this is all making me in a bad mood.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Tom Kaye — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:45:55 GMT

Since Republicans have been in control of Washington the last 20 of 28 years . . . could it be it's THEIR FAULT?!?!?

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Libratine — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:46:18 GMT

How about the median income of Wall Street executives X the number of executives?????????????????????

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Billy, Texas — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:46:44 GMT

This makes me sick.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Libratine — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:47:37 GMT

How about the median income of Wall Street executives X the number of executives?????????????????????

... now and in lobbyists too!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Pete - Albany, NY — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:49:06 GMT

You forgot a number...

$2300 (approximately) that the bailout will cost each and every citizen of this country.

Thanks, W!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

val Crystal Lake, ILL — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:49:11 GMT

It is too bad that the Republicans amended the bankruptcy laws. Otherwise the USA could file.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Rory, Sacramento, CA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:49:43 GMT

It seems to me that if this $700 Billion BS bailout happens, then everyone is underwritten by AIG. Thus, we should now have a universal health care system. Boom. You want the money; this is one of the things that Americans get in return.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

kenn — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:49:46 GMT

Wars that were supported at the beginning by both democrats and republicans democrats are just as DIRTY as the repugnant republicans

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Just wondering why.... — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:50:02 GMT

I'm not convinced that this bailout is the best thing to do. After all there is no gaurantee it's going to work and us everyday folks end up even more screwed than before. I mean...if these mortgages that were bundled up and sold as assets aren't worth anything now, then why would they suddenly be worth anything if they were "bought" by the government? Maybe we should pass an emergency bailout of a different kind - take half of that same money and refinance all those mortgages at an affordable interest rates/terms so people stay in their homes and the property values of these communities are retained, then take the rest and invest in our infrastructure, creating good paying jobs that put more people to work making money, spending money and investing in the communities? Seems to me what they want is trickle down triage...

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

HOWARD J. STEPHENS III, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:50:10 GMT

I'AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO LOAN ME $60 BUCKS. SO I CAN FILL UP MY GAS TANK 1/2 WAY, AND GO TO WORK. I WILL REP PAY YOU AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK, IF I HAVEN'T BEEN LAID OFF FIRST. I'AM A MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER, LIVING OUT OF MY LEXUS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I NEED TO TAKE A SHOWER.AND REMEMBER TO VOTE REPUBLICAN FOR A CHANGE WE WILL NOT SEE. THANK YOU !

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Greg - SF — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:50:20 GMT

And imagine if McCain is elected and turns social security over to the private sector.

Yikes!

Obama / Biden 08

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Abby — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:51:16 GMT

And WHAT - EXACTLY would obama's plan be???? Still have no clue! OBama is a FRAUD! At least we can TRUST McCain to lead our country with experience.
Guess the obama gang will have to do without all that "Free" Medical care.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Elmer, Seattle — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:51:18 GMT

Wow this is really bad. I hope McCain doesn't have to sell any houses or cars. John boy doesn't say much about the Keating scandal does he. The only thing he learned there was how to hone his lying ability. If the press was really doing their job the S&L mess would be making big headlines.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

William A. Fultz, Houston, TX — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:51:19 GMT

Remember the joke back in 2000 about how Bush would put people out of work and get us into a war? It was funny back then. Now, it's far worse than even the most pessimistic could have possibly imagined.

A juvenile delinquent rode his daddy's name to the White House to do the work of an adult and future generations will be paying for this mess for decades.

Never elect another Repug, people.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

greedy world — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:51:28 GMT

Thanks FR very much for the hard work analyzing. Very interesting. I am shocked it costs mroe to satisfy our energy thirst via nuclear energy (McCain) than to care for our bodies (Obama), and the Iraq war costs about almost the same amount it would cost to bail out Dominica. Guess we will spend more to go after "rogue regimes" under McCain than to take care of America's domestic problems.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Indie Woman in Denver — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:52:40 GMT

I agree that Hank Paulson is a smart guy. Anyone who can increase their income from $38M to $700B in such a short time, and not have to deal with oversight, is pretty danged smart.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:53:13 GMT

I didn't realize McCain wants to spend $300 billion on nuclear energy.

I guess that means he intends for the government to foot the bill of building new reactors. I didn't realize that. Here's a question - if the taxpayers build the reactors, would we then at least get free electricity?

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Clara Kansas City, MO — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:53:23 GMT

WOW! now there is some stat tracking!

Olivia - earlier - great angle.

I finally found the difference between Bush and McCain, with McCain - at least someone will get fired. They will of course, NOT be the people responsible - but OUT they will go.

There is nothing Presidential about McCain. He is intellectually incurious and has taken under achieving to a new low. Palin is just more of the same - in training.

Vote and Volunteer Obama/Biden - TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!

This bailout is criminal and we should prosecute the thieves!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Arin, Buffalo, NY — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:53:27 GMT

$1 Apple Pie at McDonalds! Visit your local McDonalds Today.
I'm Ronald McDonald, and I approve this message

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Deni, GA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:53:45 GMT

I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD LAUGH OR CRY AT OUR SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS. How sad for our country when we can't take care of the little guys because we had to take care of the irresponsible big guys.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

voter — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:53:52 GMT

The republicans have to answer the reason they do not want to add a clause to assist homeowners in re-writing their mortage to decrease the payments. It is hyprocritical of republicans to not assist homeowners by blaming them for having a home they can't afford when in many cases predatory lenders are responsible for this mess. However, republicans are willing to bailout wall street who got greedy and made investements they could not afford. This is garbage. The republican priority is always with the rich and wall street. Wake up people. No bailout to wall street until they help main street.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

real change? vote out all incumbents — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:54:37 GMT

Its a difficult and bitter pill for those of us who are renting because we can't even afford to buy a house and now because of this probably can't get loans for YEARS to come...Suz in KS at 2:39

And, how happy does it make you that Dems are wanting to bailout homeowners who should never had the loans and that you and I get to pay for that?????

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

atd — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:55:19 GMT

Wow-Paulson's salary/options at Goldman Sachs-----thanks for this info.....and the numbers...it gives needed perspective. Criminal that he gets that much and kids can't get healthcare.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:56:03 GMT

so let me get this straight(talk). We plan to borrow 700 billion from China,we don't have the moneyWe plan to buy 700 billion worth of worthless paper from from china and others because we sold them the worthless paper,and now they are pissed.My guess is that China has called in all the paper they hold because of the Bush war they have paid for the hole thing.And thats why the neo=cons are are saying if we don't do it hastly,the market will crash.Kind of blows your mind that Paulson made 38 million in 2004 his last year at Bear Sterns.wern't they bailed out also?SCAM ARTIST every last one of the repuks.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

John C Pittsburg — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:56:13 GMT

Let's be really silly and vote in another Republican, just for kicks! Who's with me?

Okay, nobody in their right mind's gonna do that.
Erik, Mechanicsburg

Thats where your wrong, Obama has no clue or experience, Plain has more than him ! We will elect McCain to clean up the rep mess and to protect this country, although some of you don't care about defence.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Charles Goodwin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:56:32 GMT

No way, no how, no bailout. Let's just buckle down, take our lumps and fight our way out of this like Americans! I'll eat beans and potatoes for a while!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

Pat Huntington NY — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:00:37 GMT

Insanity is defined by doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time. You who voted Republican in the past and planning on doing it again this year, are, by definition, clearly insane!

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

John, MI — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:01:00 GMT

You forgot: Obama's other costs he won't factor into his numbers (just above $1trillian dollars)

Its not that we are taxed to much or too little, its that we don't control spending, its the earmarks, and last minute additions that cause our debt (and the fact that a bank would allow someone with a history of credit issues to get a $400,000 loan while unemployed)

Honestly, it has nothing to do with healthcare plans or energy policies, its just living within your means and not needing a new car every year or a bigger house every other. And that Plasma TV isn't a necessity....My household income is well above average but we own two cars without payments, save money, don't randomly spend money and the economy is fine for us...sorry I was fiscally responsible the past 12 years and made sure my money would dive.

And yes I'm actually still making money on my 401K

People need to realize that no matter who is the president of this country, they control their financial well being

STOP ASKING FOR HANDOUTS!!! (BOTH FOR CORPORATIONS AND DUMB "HOME BUYERS"

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

val Crystal Lake, ILL — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:01:30 GMT

TO ABBY....This is where "experience" got us. Now let us try to put someone in office who "thinks" before he acts. And it is all too obvious that thinking is not McCains strong suit.

Cost of the bailout (in perspective)

More sanity, Merritt Island, FL — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:01:42 GMT

I believe the Japanese had it right! These executives need to think seriously about Hari Kari. That's the least they can do for the country. Then strip all of their bank accounts and leave them as poor as they have left the American economy.