Look at everybody freaking out

[knowbody0]

over this bail out. 24/7 coverage. discussion, debate, threat downs, they sky is falling! we are doomed. Everyone has a position, an opinion. All hands on deck. CREDIT is at stake.


now just go back to the time before the invasion of Iraq. The decision to bomb the fuck out of a nation, killing thousands of innocents, sending our kids to DIE for US.


Both of these situations are an incredible burden to taxpayers.



One might argue that lessons have been learned from 2003, but the contrast in passion, discussion, and the reluctance to act for fear of consequence is blowing my mind.

[babylonsister]

1. Money seems to trump blood and human sacrifice. What's wrong with that

picture?

[liberalmuse]

2. Don't Panic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ilGGP9BDZs

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. " We could try ignoring it, sir"

Airplane 2 aka the Bush Way.

[jpgray]

3. Let's recognize a salient difference: there is far more evidence of "wolf!" in this case

Objective evidence was -united- against the supposed Iraq crisis in 2002. In the present financial crisis, we have far more objective signs that something truly dangerous is happening.

So the similarity here, in my view, is not lack of evidence for a crisis. The similarity seems to me more present in the rush to judgment, and the wrongheaded, oversight-free approach from the administration in addressing the supposed crisis. In terms of evidence for crying "wolf!" the two situations aren't particularly similar. In terms of the administration response, yes, there are some uncomfortable similarities. Happily we are moving further and further away from Paulson's plan in terms of lack of oversight, lack of protection for taxpayer money, and the "give us all the authority and $$ now!" approach.

[Greyhound]

21. When there is a "wolf at the door" the last thing you should do is throw it a snack.

You have to kill the wolf or the wolf will definitely kill you.

[mudesi]

4. This affects Americans

Who cares about the lives of Iraqi people?

That's why.

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

5. If you were one of those who actually lost your house...

would you even care?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. "All politics is local" Tip O'Neil

Or, personal. This FUBAR is blatant enough to make people realize they, personally, are getting screwed. The war in Iraq is still a distant (and, to many, glorious) conflict that doesn't affect them personally.

As a sympathetic poli/sci professor told us when we were disrupting his class during the Vietnam slaughter, "The war will end when enough bodies come home and the average citizen has to reach for his wallet to pay for it."

Well, the average citizen realizes that he's having to reach for his wallet to bail out the bankers and their colleagues the politicians. And, he doesn't like it.

[patrice]

7. It never ceases to amaze me how apathetic so many seem to be about KILLING Innocent People.

It's as though too many people think, "We can't do anything about it."

[lib2DaBone]

8. I agree.. I have said from the beginning Dems should walk away

from this bailout bill. I don't see why they can't extend the debate on this bill 30 days until the election is over? But it looks like we're going to get a bailout bill whether we want it or not. Bush and the Neocons still pushing the buttons.....

[stray cat]

9. Most of us are reluctant to lose everything we have worked for or see our parents lose everything

I like having a job and not being at the mercy of the street. I don't want my disabled mom to lose her house and her limited income and savings. But thats just me - selfish...

[Lex]

10. Wish everyone had been as passionate about stopping the war in Iraq

where people's very lives were at stake.

[barbtries]

12. i was just as passionate

and it did just as much good as my passion this time out. they're going to do what they're going to do no matter how much it reeks.

[knowbody0]

16. I'm not talking about our passion

I'm talking about msm and our representatives.

[barbtries]

20. yes.,

the wars have been kept deliberately abstract and away from the eyes and ears by msm. that way it's as if we really aren't affected by it with the exception of the actual participants. this crisis has been sold as one that will affect everyone in a disastrous way. whether or not it's true.

everything from the bushies is bullshit. i'm so tired.

[sendero]

19. The laughable part..

.. is that you actually believe they are doing this in YOUR interest.

You folks must have a permanent KY drip installed on your backside to put up with this constant reaming.

[Solly Mack]

11. Know what I get up every morning thinking?

I get up every morning and think, "My country is a war crime nation"....and then I think about all the other things wrong with my country. All the other problems - all the other bad things. So every day for me is a day of "My country is a war crime nation now facing an economic collapse"..."My country is a war crime nation where people die from poverty..primarily because of the lack of concern about poverty and its consequences" Change poverty out with any issue...it's always "My country is a war crime nation and this ______ is also happening"

Sometimes I envy the people that just can move on from the US being a war crime nation. Maybe they aren't moving on and just switch to the issue they can deal with better. The one they feel they can solve. Maybe the economy is just easier to talk about. I dunno.

But I can't move on and it shapes every single thing about America for me.

I know some will say that it's all different....but I can't help but feel that it's all connected. And not just because of everything that has happened in the last 8 years under Bush.

What kind of people torture other people? The same kind that allow poverty to be a death sentence. The same kind that put profit before people. The same kind who think no matter what they have done wrong, they somehow deserve to be rewarded.

I'm just ranting. Your post just brought up some issues that are completely my own.

[knowbody0]

14. I am the same -

ashamed, but also very confused about human nature. A dull ache in the belly.

[bean fidhleir]

13. 2003 was the wake-up call for 2008

Then there were still a lot of people who found it hard to believe that a gang of criminal psychopaths could be running the country. Few find it hard to believe today, only about 20% at last measure, iirc.

[knowbody0]

15. hopefully, lessons learned

hopefully they WILL be held accountable.

[Poseidan]

17. Keep In Mind

There are worse things than economic depression. It's obvious at least part of this 'bailout' was meant to steal money. Why else would they choose 700b, plus demand no oversight and complete legal immunity? They tried to hastily coerce the bill through, like a criminal robbing a convenience store.

Whatever you do, make sure the bail-out isn't worse than the alternative.