Agenda: Release the TARP

KT Barnes, VT — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:24:43 GMT

Campaign strategy? Oh, so this is how it's going to be. Obama will be like Clinton and be in constant campaign mode. We see how things worked out for Triangulation Bill on the domestic front while staying in campaign mode. It lost him his Democratic majorities in Congress after two years, and then he was led around by the nose by the Republicans for 6 years. Looks like Obama is taking the same path.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:26:53 GMT

Now that next week Obama will take over the helm it's time to release the TARP money so he and his competent team of economic advisors can spend that money far more wisely than Idiot Boy did. I know that Obama will help struggling homeowners remain in their homes by forcing banks to write down loan values, he isn't ion bed with the big banking lobbyist crowd who only wanted to help out the incompetent thieving CEO's. Notice how on Idiot Boy's watch the banking industry has consolidated and how there is less competition than ever before. Heckuva job Georgie Boy!

Agenda: Release the TARP

Anna Molly — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:31:06 GMT

I'd say take back the TARP unless there's accountability and some evidence that it's being used the way it's intended.

I saw a guy from Fortune Magazine say on MSNBC that lenders aren't lending until the economy gets going again. Hello!? I thought it was the inability to lend that stopped the economy in the first place. How can we turn it around if these same people won't lend and the money is just sitting ... where exactly is it sitting, anyway?

But one thing you CAN be sure of. While they sit and hold your money and mine, I'll bet they're drawing interest on it, every single day. And that's what they'll use to pay themselves those bonuses.

Nice work if you can get it.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Ed, FW, TX — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:50:52 GMT

It seems absurd that there has been no tracking by the banks about where that first 350billion went. Let's press the new admin and the congress to get proper oversight in place BEFORE we agree to letting them release the 2nd 1/2.

Banks put money into accounts so let's see the transaction trail. It has to exist, how else would they improve their balance sheets.

The 1/2 half should go mainly to assist and homeowners and curtail froreclosures. Aside from the job losses, retail and manufacturing slowdowns, stabilizing home prices is really the core of the issue. Once the housing market begins to recover, lending by and buying by consumers will recover as well. The Obama admin MUST deal with the root cause of the problem, the housing baloon!

Agenda: Release the TARP

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:53:26 GMT

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, January 12, 2009 9:31 AM):

I agree. How long can it take to place a few accountability measures on TARP. An hour, perhaps half a day. I think the bloggers here could come up with a few decent accountability measures in 10 mintues. There wouldn't be any problem from those receiving they money as they have no say. Accept the accountability measures or no money. Simple as that.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Cindy Lou, TX — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:57:10 GMT

Obama is wise to bypass the MSM. That way, voters will at least get to hear his plans in their entirety without the soundbites and attack-mongering from the MSM. Sorry, MSM, but you're not letting Obama get sworn into office before badmouthing EVERY IDEA he has. If you guys in the MSM have better ideas, share them. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and complain, but it's a lot harder to roll up your sleeves and become part of the solution. America needs everyone to come together right now, and that includes the MSM.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Stock Holder — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:00:11 GMT

"Obama has sought to strike a balance: emphasizing the depth of the problem, to create a sense of political urgency for Congress to act quickly, while not being so pessimistic that he could further destabilize the jittery financial markets or deplete the sense of energy and hope accompanying his election.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Not working. Markets are down.

Agenda: Release the TARP

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:11:13 GMT

Did anyone else watch the special on CNN about the economy? I had no idea we were in such a mess. It will take years to straighten out this economy. I was blaming Bush for this mess, boy was I wrong. He did contribute hugely. It has been years in the making was my take. It would take each one of us to donate 175,000 to get out of this, like that's going to happen. I am so glad we elected Obama. It's unfortunate tho that he will be making history as the first African American Pres, and be tasked with getting us out of a huge mess, which probably won't happen for years. At least I feel confident he can deal with this and not tell us all to go shopping!

Agenda: Release the TARP

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:37:25 GMT

I think it would be wiser if Pres. Obama wait to release the second half of the recovery money until he and his team have had time to go over the spending plan. Bush was not detail orientated.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Mike Groshong, McMinnville, Or — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:41:30 GMT

I don't care if they spend the money, but I want an an open accounting of every penny spent! I would consider anything else a shame or the economy can bottom out by itself. The first $350 Billion has become a farce as has that of the Auto industry.

I am a strong supporter of President Elect Obama and his plans, but I want rigorous and consistent oversight about how the money is spent and I want it before the money is allocated.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Russell Fox Wells, Me — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:10:55 GMT

I agree with Anna Molly i dont want the money unless its accounted for....I also want AN ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE FIRST 350 which reluctantley the banks dont want to do...Its ok for them to get low interest rates but yet charge The American people higher rates...Goes to figure the politicians either dont care or they are taking care of themselves when it comes time for there relection and the amount of money that these banks contribute..No the American people arent stupid, Most of Washintton is....Im tired of listening to the repsonse of look what were leaving for our kids, grand childern its not ous its you......Doing a better job for Washington politics as usual and be damned with the American people.......

Agenda: Release the TARP

Fox watching the hen house — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:50:57 GMT

"I am a strong supporter of President Elect Obama and his plans, but I want rigorous and consistent oversight about how the money is spent and I want it before the money is allocated." - Mike Groshong

And who would do that?........Politicians?

Agenda: Release the TARP

Prof. G.S.Wilson — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:59:03 GMT

In our false financial culture the reward pattern always seems to favor the investors and CEOs of Wall Street big building residents. Time has come to make the transition gently and gradually from turned-inward pseudo-financial culture to open and transparent national equitable culture. Where everyone is part of the big family. There ought to be no room for neglected pain and psychic frustration on matters of just meet-the-needs for education and mere survival. President-elect Obama being a details-oriented and well balanced governing potentate, along with Congress and counselors on every side, is not expected to easily get lost in "euphoria" of a black president with a steep and rapid climb over the ladder of a legal and economic society, --"so divisive, so "fiscally" confused, and "sore, opinionated". I have to agree with so many of you, that if we kept our eyes open and focused toward Washington, the way President-elect wants us to, that he will help to get us out of this morass.

Agenda: Release the TARP

Prof. G.S.Wilson — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:01:12 GMT

When would I see it in the blog column

I still have more to write, after I see it in columns