Federal Bailout? I’m Absolutely Opposed To It!

Good thing I wasn’t drinking my coffee this morning when I was reading an article on the Huffington Post about the $700 billion federal bail out. I’m not sure what would have made me ill first: the clause in the bill that had me questioning the bail out provisions, as in above court reproach, or that I finally found an area of commonality with HuffPo. Scary stuff!

Regardless, I think the proposed bail out smells and I’m blaming the Bush Administration, members of Congress, and various other government appointees with trying to pull a fast one on American taxpayers.

Check Out Section 8

Specific to my angst is a thirty-two word sentence that has gotten me and tens of thousands of other people steamed:

Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.

Right. Taxpayers are going to give the federal government the right to do as they please with our money and without any accountability. Talk about a power grab!

Politicians Hope That We’re Not Paying Attention

And, you’re hearing this from someone who is a conservative, a person who doesn’t buy into so many of the conspiracy theories that have been hatched by the left over the past seven years. Frankly, I’m tired of people blaming Bush alone for our country’s problems when it is clear that both Republicans and Democrats have been asleep at the switch. Divide and conquer us and they’ll be able to pass *anything* while we bicker…our future is on the line! What a bunch of self serving elitists.

Now, I could have simply posted this article, told a few friends, and left it at that. Instead, I called up my local house representative, Brad Miller, and left a message with his office that I’m against the bail out. I didn’t mention that I’m against certain provisions, rather I’m against the entire thing.

And why is that? Well, if you’ve mismanaged your business then you and your shareholders should take responsibility for what you’ve done. When I learn that every man, woman, and child’s share of this new burden is $5000 a piece, you better believe that I want to have some say in how (or if) these funds (taxes) are to be used.

Call Your Congressional Representative

If you want to voice your opinion about the goings on with the bail out, why not call your congressional representative and give him/her a piece of your mind? I was polite and simply gave my name when asked, but I made it clear that I opposed the bail out.  The entire call took less than two minutes and I was back at my keyboard in a flash.

A lot of people aren’t sure who their representative is, but you can find that information out by filling out this form which will take you to your congressman’s site.

Do it today!

Further Reading

Bernanke and Paulson: Congress must move now (Associated Press)

Cheney, Paulson Head to Hill to Soothe Lawmakers on Bailout (FoxNews)

Text of Draft Proposal for Bailout Plan (The New York Times)

Volatile Markets Pressure US Lawmakers on Emergency Financial Plan

Photo Credit: Michael Slonecker