Smithers MINNEAPOLIS

I don’t know about the economy, but I’d be better off with an extra 25k. Sheeeit.

woops. ready one too many zero’s there.
maybe I need new glasses?

Most Americans, if given that amount of money, would turn around and send it to China. Regardless of whether that was the best place for it or not.

We took our stimulus checks and paid down debt. That’s how you know we hate America.

From that perspective, the bailout is a really good deal.

What does all of this cost the taxpayer? The $700B TARP is a fund for loans to banks. The bill that sent us $1200 stimulus checks cost $150B, so even with pessimistic figures like 0% interest and a nearly 20% default rate, their upfront cost is exactly the same. On the backend, more people keep their jobs and fewer accounts need insurance payouts.

We can dislike the lack of transparency in the way this money is being doled out or used to pay big bonuses to asshat fatcats, but revealing the names of the banks in trouble will cause a run that leads an overleveraged bank to fail.

As an individual, a $5000 check for my household sounds great, but I bet it’s be cold comfort to the teller at a bank that failed. As a taxpayer, I’m none too thrilled with all the new bank tellers suddenly on unemployment rolls, or with all the bank accounts that need insurance payouts, and unless we’re suddenly embracing the supply-siders, the government will never see anything close to $4k as a return investment.

I would have totally bought a new (track) bike!!

‘Better for the Economy’ This phrase is the problem. One needs to define what it means, because for one guy it means ‘I can drive faster and farther in my SUV now.’ For another, it means their neighbor now has a job, and won’t be a nuisance to society. For yet others, it means they can have massages more often. What’s your definition of a better economy?

yeah, like the general public has been any better at its own personal money management. i’m not so sure either group “the whatevers” or “public” is all that spectacular of a choice. both seem a bit retarded at this point.