Ari's Planet

Letter to Representative Barney Frank (D-MA):

I object to this sham 700-billion bailout plan. It doesn't include proper regulatory mechanisms, public ownership, etc. At least Rep Kucinich had a better thought out plan. Now the bill has grown to hundreds of pages of disgusting pork projects. Sweden dealt with a similar (but smaller) problem in the 90s, and it wasn't by just throwing money at banks and handing out random tax breaks. This is my money you're talking about stealing and giving to a bunch of corrupt rich criminals. We already have bankruptcy laws. Let these rich bastards who stole our money and ruined our economy loose the shirts off their backs before you hand over any of my money. I don't trust a word out of Paulson's mouth, Mr. Investment Banker himself-- they are just paying off their buddies. And to top it all off, this is a 700 billion dollar bandaid on a much larger problem; will you be coming to me in a year's time begging for another trillion dollars? You and the other Democrats failed to bring our troops home, which would have saved lives and drastically reduced government debt (since the US is paying for this war the wrong way--by taxing future generations). You bet I'm angry, and I'm angry with the inept failure of the Congress to exert oversight over the runaway fraud permitted (or encouraged?) by the US government.

PS And several weeks [ago] I wrote requesting that you act to safeguard people's right to vote, e.g., statements by RFK of illegal widespread voter roll purges. This election is crucial, Obama must win, but if you let Republicans destroy what remains of the electoral process then we'll end up with McCain and Cheeleader Palin in the oval office.

Well, I just hope you do the right thing. I certainly don't envy the position the Congress has managed to wedge itself into.