I should be working...
But instead, I'm finding every excuse not to.
There's a very cynical political strategy making its way around the "blogosphere" both on conservative and liberal/progressive blogs.
See, the thing is, this bailout is really pissing a lot of people off, who see it as giving "fat cats" money because they fucked up with their investments. Not just corporate welfare, but CEO welfare, welfare for rich people. Of course, that's a very simplistic view of the situation, but that's all most people can (or care to) wrap their heads around. Whoever bails them out will be on the unfriendly end of a constituency's collective boot.
But, alas, we may face a "depression" if we don't do something, and the Democrats are the ruling party in Congress, both houses. The strategy as written, is that the Republicans will wait for the Democrats to negotiate some sort of deal with the Treasury with a hefty price tag. The Democrats will vote it through, but then the Republicans will all vote their "nay" votes and attack the Democrats for their anti-little-guy bailout. Republicans will thus use this to sway the populists into their corner.
There are a couple issues now though. Everyone knows about the strategy, and it's pretty transparent. I don't know that they will get away with it. Other than that, the bill would have to pass both houses of Congress and is not likely to do so simultaneously. If the Democrats smell bullshit, then they'll kill it in whatever house remains to vote.
Still, goes to show you, it's an ugly, ugly season.
There's a very cynical political strategy making its way around the "blogosphere" both on conservative and liberal/progressive blogs.
See, the thing is, this bailout is really pissing a lot of people off, who see it as giving "fat cats" money because they fucked up with their investments. Not just corporate welfare, but CEO welfare, welfare for rich people. Of course, that's a very simplistic view of the situation, but that's all most people can (or care to) wrap their heads around. Whoever bails them out will be on the unfriendly end of a constituency's collective boot.
But, alas, we may face a "depression" if we don't do something, and the Democrats are the ruling party in Congress, both houses. The strategy as written, is that the Republicans will wait for the Democrats to negotiate some sort of deal with the Treasury with a hefty price tag. The Democrats will vote it through, but then the Republicans will all vote their "nay" votes and attack the Democrats for their anti-little-guy bailout. Republicans will thus use this to sway the populists into their corner.
There are a couple issues now though. Everyone knows about the strategy, and it's pretty transparent. I don't know that they will get away with it. Other than that, the bill would have to pass both houses of Congress and is not likely to do so simultaneously. If the Democrats smell bullshit, then they'll kill it in whatever house remains to vote.
Still, goes to show you, it's an ugly, ugly season.