Oh shit. Call it for what it is. Bush wants to make 1 HUGE final withdrawal before leaving. He has

[BigBearJohn]

a lot of cronies he has to make happy before he leaves
his 8 year party. He'll make a private speech to them
apologizing for not cleaning out social security before
leaving, but hey..

[cali]

1. simplistic and wrong.

but whatever. And no, I'm certainly not defending the asshole.

[dkf]

2. Its all in the pricing Cali. There is a whole lot of room for us to be screwed here.

[truthisfreedom]

3. 100%. Look at the pattern. Rush it through Congress. No oversight. Just like the Patriot Act,

the worst piece of shit legislation ever devised, which took YEARS to write and one week to pass.

The legislation being pushed by the rethuglican party this week has been in the works for 2 years. It's tailored to steal the last of the coffers and put it in the pockets of HANDY CRONIES.

[Waiting For Everyman]

4. I say Paulson tipped their hand... they're bluffing.

If it was dire, he wouldn't care what else was put in it. This is a scam.

My gut feeling is, they're not going to get away with it. Dems and Repubs both know that the voters are going to remember this in a mere 6 weeks when they vote.

Plus, some good economists have some very positive alternatives, which are circulated in the press. I read that HRC for one, advocates that approach (renovated New Deal), and probably others in Congress are aware there's a better way to go too.

Best scenario: This could be used to change the system for the better. Especially if the Dems submit their own bill. They can say "take it or leave it". If it's urgent, take it; if it isn't, see ya in January.

It's the closeness of the election and Pelosi's eye on her legacy that make me feel like they won't cave to real damage. I hope. Also Obama's stand was helpful.

[Voice for Peace]

5. thanks for your hopeful perspective.

there's so much doom&gloom my head is spinning.

[harun]

8. Many great points, I completely agree

If it was so "dire" they could have started presenting Congress with possible solutions months ago. The mortgage problem didn't hit us this week, we have known about the issue for about 2 years. To drop a trillion dollar bill on the desk right before the election is just a trap for the Democrats. They need to present the proposal and say take it or leave it, just as you have said.

[No Elephants]

6. Who said it was final? Yesterday, I heard "the end is not in sight."

[northernlights]

7. never forget the chimp who cried wolf

This is too brazen. And we've heard it all too many times before. The mushroom clouds. But don't worry, Iraq oil will pay for the mess. The patriot act. Hurry, hurry, just sign here. No time to read it. Can't pertect murka without it.

I'm hopeful this time the dems won't cave. Partly because they have thinking rethugs on the right side for a change. Largely because this will impact *them* too. Not just the election. Their bank accounts. Their kids and grandkids futures.

[Vinca]

9. Anyone who looks at this rush-through-Congress scheme and

doesn't recall the same tactics being used on Iraq, needs a wake up call. No oversight? Blank check? That's the point where we go from democracy to dictatorship. I'm sure they are upset they didn't manage to grab the social security money during the Bush years and nothing, NOTHING would surprise me about this bunch of felons.

[BigBearJohn]

10. .