this bailout should be funded with a one-time wealth tax...

[dysfunctional press]

http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/16/forbes-400-billionaires-lists-400list08_cx_mn_0917richamericans_land.html

The rich haven't gotten richer--or poorer--this year. For the second year in a row, the price of admission to The Forbes 400 is $1.3 billion. In this, the 27th edition of the list, the assembled net worth of America's wealthiest rose by $30 billion--only 2%--to $1.57 trillion. More ...

so- just the top 400 alone all have net worth's of over 1.3 billion, with a cumulative total of $1.57 trillion.
THESE are the class of people who have most benefited from the wall street over the years, and as such should foot a substantial portion of any bailout.

how about a one-time wealth tax of- a. 50% of all wealth over $500million. -OR- b. 25% of all wealth over $100million...depending on which one would raise the most money.

[aquart]

1. Whichever candidate proposes this better have good bodyguards

And a steel helmet.

[w4rma]

3. Pretty much. This this the group of people who control America behind the scenes. (nt)

[Fla Dem]

2. I don't think that is so outlandish.

I would like to see us get it behind us in a very short period. Maybe spread that out over a few years so the hit doesn't hurt so much. I agree, most of the people at that level have gained from these market shenanigans. Also people in 401k, or pension plans. But it really is the ones at the very high levels who benefitted the most and should give back.

[Cresent City Kid]

4. That's a good idea

Let's have that one time be April 15th every year.

[dysfunctional press]

5. income taxes are for annual income- this would be a one-time tax on all accumulated wealth...

not on the previous year's income.

[Cresent City Kid]

9. I got that

I was just making a small joke about a big problem. We need to restore normal taxation to the wealthy before China calls in all the IOU's.

[Motown_Johnny]

6. I would be happy with a reasonable approach to capital gains.

How can you ask for bailouts for capital losses and still be against capital gains taxes? It makes no sense to me

[dysfunctional press]

7. they'll decry the retiree's who are living on investment income...

to solve that issue- i would propose doubling the capital gains tax on investment income over $75k per person per year.

[backwoodsbob]

8. won't work

say 25% over whatever number you want to throw out there.Net worth doesn't equal hard cash.How many people worth 1 billion have 250 million in hard cash to hand over?

This would just make a bad situation worse as people have to dump stock to try to come up with the money we want to try to ...you know...stop stock from tumbling :)

This would send us into a depression