What does bailout mean to Utahns?

Congress and the administration have worked to avert a national financial meltdown with an unprecedented rescue plan priced at hundreds of billions of dollars. We review questions that inquiring minds are asking:

Why did a Republican administration propose such an enormous government intrusion into the economy? Isn't this anti-free market?

Pignanelli: "When someone says that the free market isn't working, what he means is that he doesn't like the way the free market is working." — Nicolas Martin. Yes, everyone is an advocate of the free market when times are good. But when the cyclical downturn appears (as always happens in a free market dynamic, to correct inefficiencies), there is an overwhelming desire to blame someone. The bailout is only needed because Wall Street refuses to maintain confidence in our free market economy. Political leaders like President Bush and Congress lack the credibility to soothe anxious investors. With a national election a month away, and 401(k) balances evaporating, emotions demand big expensive solutions. Economic ideology is secondary to political reality — even for Republicans. (The good news: I can always respond with the "Bush bailout" when LaVarr gets too preachy.)

Webb: No one should blame the free market for this mess. The reality is that the financial system has never been a totally free market. We don't live in anarchy, devoid of government. We live in a representative democracy where, ideally, limited government would play a limited role as referee and regulator in financial affairs. Because of mistakes made in both the public and private sectors, this enormous crisis demands that government step in to stabilize the financial system by purchasing assets of real value, at very low prices, that can be sold later (possibly at a profit) when the system and economy are more steady. It clearly is government intervention of unprecedented magnitude, but only the federal government has the wherewithal to make such a large investment. Conservatives need to grit their teeth and accept this solution as the best of all the bad choices.

Are Republicans or Democrats to blame for this crisis, and will it impact the presidential race?