The Cult

[desidono.livejournal.com]

Comments

[name-omitted.livejournal.com]

I really want to agree with you. The problem is, we are too structured to require certain things. I can't get mortgage without insurance. If AIG had failed, a lot of insurers would not have the "re-insurancce" that would allow them to service so many policies with so little assets. The only financially appropriate thing for them to do would be to stop issuing new policies, and hope old policies come due and can be canceled before some catastrophe strikes.

If they are not issuing new policies, I can't get a mortgage, I can't buy a house, or a car, and so on. The credit freeze just becomes a lot more frozen.

So, as a case in point, we had to go after AIG. Fortanatly, in that case, we took stock, so hopefully the Treasury can sell stock when the times are better and pay off some of the debt.

You are right about infrastructure. At least we will have something to show for it when this mess is over.

[dwer.livejournal.com]

except that, you know, Obama's plan included tax-cuts in it.

And as far as I can tell, Bush is the one who bailed out the failing companies with bad management. Obama wants to make the CEOs behave more responsibly.

[dwer.livejournal.com]

Bush's administration ran the disbursement of money. They allowed the money to be given out without any conditions. It's like blaming the Democrats for the administration of the Iraq war because they voted to fund it -- what the administration DOES with the money is the fault of the administration. You can blame the Democrats for not exerting more oversight -- and I do -- but they didn't actually make the mistakes.

[edgar-suit.livejournal.com]

When expenses are greater than income, decreasing income is not the best answer. You either have to decrease expenses or increase income. Americans hate taxes but they also want their programs. Nice things cost money and, hopefully, Americans will realize this some day.

[reality-hammer.livejournal.com]

Tax cuts are an excellent place to start, as even The One agrees.

[desidono.livejournal.com]

Tax cuts are an excellent place to start
...which isn't what this cartoon is saying the Republicans want.

Rush is much better at being purposefully misleading and obtuse. Have you thought about asking him for lessons? I'm sure he'd have time for such a devoted fan such as yourself... for a price.

But what an excellent place to start!

[reality-hammer.livejournal.com]

Tax cuts alone are superior to what Obama will sign on Tuesday.

[desidono.livejournal.com]

DURR TAX CUTS GOOOD SPENDING BAAAAD DUHHHH

[dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com]

You do realize there are quite a few tax cuts in the stimulus package.. Apparently the Democrats agree with you; it is a place to start but tax cuts are not the end all be all.

[reality-hammer.livejournal.com]

There are tax cuts for businesses...which may or may not amount to what is predicted. Businesses with no money to spend will not buy new equipment based on increased depreciation (for example).

As for individuals: a whopping $500 isn't going to stimulate anything. People won't spend anything they perceive to be temporary.

[desidono.livejournal.com]

Question - were you were against the $300 tax rebate in 2001?

[dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com]

So people who get a tax cut but don't have jobs will also go out and spend?

a whopping $500 isn't going to stimulate anything. Where were you in 2001?

Seriously, how can you keep a straight face?

[dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com]

So people who get a tax cut but don't have jobs will also go out and spend? Before you go all "Welfare, blah blah.. People who don't make enough, blah blah" I'm referring to people who've been laid off in the last six months as well as those afraid they might lose their jobs this year.