Good!!! | 1:43 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
It appears that House Republicans at least are paying attention to the phone calls coming in. Everyone I've spoken to is opposed to this plan, especially when there doesn't appear to be any mechanism to reign in the risky loan-making policies that caused this problem.

Bennett appears to be out of touch, but he probably feels safe being two years away from re-election. He'll have to learn about the consequences of ignoring his constituents the hard way.
Solution | 2:53 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
The Democrat's solution to everything is to lay it at the feet of the taxpayers! Some businesses need to be allowed to fail! We cannot keep propping up bad businesses! Before all the Bush haters on here blame him for this, he had nothing to do with how banks loan money! The fault is over speculation in the housing market! Obama looked like he was in a fog over this! What we need to learn from this: LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS! Get out of debt! Gee, hasn't someone been telling us that for years? (hint, hint)
Alden H. Laney | 3:44 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
This is the administration that said, "Iraq was an imminent threat to the United States." We went to war with little or no debate and the president was given unlimited powers. This is an administration that says we are in a banking crises and they want billions over-night. Whether there is looming depression or a recession this administration has lost its credibility. What ever happens I want to see this congress debate even if it takes a year or two. No deal for banks. It is an election year and the "politics of fear" is very much a part of this administrations.
Comments continue below
SP--Conservative Values | 3:52 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Another important civics lesson in conservative values.

In eight short years this country went from an economic boom to what appears to be the beginning of the most serious economic crisis in my life time�and all the conservatives can do is fight.

Could anyone have failed the American people more than Doubou-Yeau, the republicans, the religious right and their family values?

I for one am ready for a change in Washington. I�m tired of gross economic negligence and ignorance, wars based on lies, torturing prisoners, suspended civil rights, tax cuts for the rich, blatant manipulation of the media, covert spies being outed, fear based politics that hype the �threat to marriage� to get elected, alienation of all of our allies, complete denial of global warming, a 6 trillion dollar war and completely ignoring our health care crisis at home. I�m tired of conservative values. I�m tired of corruption and deception. I�m ready for someone else to represent my family�s values.

If this is what conservatives had in mind with �family values� then please protect me. My family has already been hurt bad enough and yet, sadly, the nightmare of the conservatives legacy is just beginning.
Bob G | 4:05 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
This country doesn't need more credit, it needs solid financial stability. Excessive credit caused the melt down and now Bush is proposing to add to the melt down by putting our country up for the highest bid. This country must limit credit and restore sound financial decision from the financial industry. It would best serve the country to have a long painful recovery from a recession. That would be much better in the long run than an eventual depression. This collapse in the credit market only goes to prove that it can't run and operate on a deficit which credit is. The financial industry has created the problem now it must recover on its own merits. An economic input by putting another 700 billion dollars in to failed system will only add to and delay the inevitible and greater colapse. If Bush is determined to help the economy, give the $700 billion to the tax paying citizens so they can pay off those debts that are plaguing the industry. Then put laws and credit practice legislation in place. Bush's plan should be to repair the failed system of financing with laws and regulations, not rewarding it.
John | 6:03 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
We are better off with no deal than a pork bloated package that merely spends more than we can afford.

We also need to KILL the laws that (a) forced lenders to make loans to people who cannot repay them, and (b) forced Fannie and Freddie to buy those loans fromteh banks who made them.

NO MONEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED directly or indirectly to "housing advocacy groups" which are nothing more than Democrat front groups such as ACORN.

Time for our congressional delegation to show some guts and do the right thing. THat may be especiallyi hard for Pelosi's pet poodle Jimmy Matheson, but occasionally he shows some courage.
CP | 6:07 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
I think Mr. Barney Frank needs to take a chill pill. Getting angry and pointing fingers isn't helping anything. Put the blame where it belongs. It belongs to the CEO's of these financial institutes who don't want the blame and they are the ones who need to bail themselves out. They need to stop paying themselves a huge salary and get themselves out of this mess they caused.
Disgusted | 6:14 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
As a Republican myself I am sick of "Conservative" Republicans. What happened to moderation? Another big bank fails (Washington Mutual). Let's just fiddle away the time we've got. Only the Democrats have a sense of urgency here. Here's to an Obama presidency and a return to fiscal sanity.
xscribe | 6:32 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
I can't wait to see how Mike Richards blames this on the democrats.
wayne | 7:00 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
hay harry reed. do you need john McCain Now or what.

at least McCain was right on needing to concentrate on this issue.

I hope that congress if and when they act act with the sprit of the Hoppocrates oath. first do no harm.

Obama come accros as snivaling and wineing as the democrates in congress. oh ya he is one. no wonder conservatives and independants don't trust Obama as a leader.

I wish he could tell someone what his plans are without mudding up the water with his hatred for president bush. or is being anti bush his only plan. if so the country is in grave danger.
Milo P Otis | 7:05 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
McCain needs to show up for tonights debate. He states that he's goning to the Capital to put the Country first. B.S. Put the voters first so we can compare and contrast. Top law makers can come up with a "rescue plan" with out McCain and Obama. McCain has no real role in this.

McCain is no "White Knight in shining armor" airlifted in to D.C. to save the day and nation.

If this "Bail Out" passes, I want to see the assetts purchased at 50 cents on the dollar - not what generally goes on in D.C. $1,200 hammers, toilets, etc. No overpriced bad assetts with my money!
let's do nothing | 7:06 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
and let the chips fall where they may. This is not a bailout for the banks it is a rescue plan for the economy. Doesn't anybody here get that? Those in favor of doing nothing raise your hands. When you lose your job I don't want to hear from you.
Get Real People | 7:19 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Who is kidding who? The last 20 years the senate and congress has been controlled by the republicans and the last eight years there has been a republican administration. Where's the watchdogs? Where's the department heads and their members? Where's Bob Bennett with all of his seniority and control over the banking and finance departments? Are you trying to tell me no one knew about this theivery and GREED until now? This has been going on for years and years. The only thing we can control as taxpayers is like I have stated numerous times here, and that is-- get rid of every single incumbent both republican and democrat in the upcoming elections and in 2 years. ALL OF THEM.
For What it's Worth | 7:29 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
No one on this blog, nor most of the folks in congress have any idea what kind of a crisis not only this country is facing, but the entire world economy. A government bailout is the absolute last thing that anyone wants. But the alternatives are absolutely devastating. I have been in the commercial banking business (as opposed to investment banking,) over 30 years and have never seen a crisis like this. If your congressmen want to kill this bill, they will tank this country and a large part of the world economy. Folks, the consequences of NOT passing this bill will be enormously painful. I am not in favor of bailing out Wall Street and greedy investors who got us into this mess. But I am not in favor of an absolute economic meltdown either. We better all quit making this a political issue, quit pointing fingers at Bush, Republicans, and/or democrats, and go to work and solve the problem or we will all suffer tremendously. Unfortunately, I don't know of another way to do this than to tap the treasury.
Where's Rob Bishop? | 7:33 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
You can certainly tell that Rob Bishop is running for re-election. He is taking up his "let's wait and see -do nothing" attitude prior to the Nov. election time so as not to be committed to anything which might cost him some votes. Come on Rob. Jump right in and commit to something...like the pro-voucher stance you took last year.

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 7:34 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Lib's are JUST STALLING so they can go on recess today, while last night another LARGEST BANK failed and shut down while you slept. John McCain took the unusual step of suspending his presidential campaign on Wednesday afternoon. In light of the nation's economic woes, Senator McCain felt that it was important to stop campaigning and focus his utmost attention on helping craft a responsible bill to address the financial crisis. Congressional leaders completely lack concensus on how to proceed in addressing the economic crisis that America is facing and the American people are rightly skeptical of the bailout plan proposed by the Bush administration. Senator McCain believes that action needs to be taken, but that the plan proposed by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson leaves much to be desired. John McCain will work with congressional leaders as long as it is necessary to get a responsible bill passed to address the overhanging financial crisis.

I guess the Democrat controled Congress WANTS US ALL to do into a Depression, that will take several years to get out of, wants us all to be unemployed, wants us to suffer, wants the World to crash to, than they are happy?.
Jason | 7:45 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
to "let's do nothin" and others in support of this bailout... keep in mind that the same people pushing this enormous wall street bailout, mainly paulson, bush and bernanke were telling us just a year ago that the economy was fine and that their didn't appear to be any risk of fallout from subprime into the general economy. We all know now how completely wrong and clueless they were then! And yet, today they are asking us to now believe that this is the ONLY way to get avert economic collapse. How can we trust these people??? Why not take a little time and consider some alternatives from other experts... preferably some of those experts that actually saw this coming for many years. There is absolutely no need to jump immediately on this bailout plan which will straddle our children for years to come with more debt just because bernanke, paulson and bush say so, we should consider some alternatives.
Idaho Boy | 7:49 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
With all of the talk about the President failing economically. It would be fair to be reminded that the President only signs bills into laws, he makes no laws. It is a joke to think that Obama or McCain will get us out of the mess. It is Congress which got us in and it will be Congress which gets us out. We would do well as a country to vote the entire Congress out and start over. That would send a clear message for decades to come who is actually in charge. The first step in Utah was taken care of by not sending Cannon back. Now lets work on the rest of them. Democrat or Republican I don't care, they can't do any worse than who we have now.
What Going On? | 7:52 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
After almost 2 years and millions and millions of dollars being spent on campaigning what have we got to select from? Two republicans that need constant prompting and prompters to even discuss any issues and two democrats that are intelligent enough to speak without prompters, but want to guarantee everyone a free ride, regardless of effort by the recepients. This is embarrassing as a citizen to see two people aspiring our highest office(McCain & Palin) flounder when asked to speak to or with anyone regarding the real issues. Their speaking abilities I am afraid show their lack intellect, education, and IQ. And this is one of our choices? Likewise I am not excited about my other choice. I am embarrassed to be an american at the present. I believe we can do way better on our selections for our highest office. Palin needs to be replaced Now and sent back to the tundra. I would like to know who really selected her. This is disgusting.
re: Chuck Schroeder | 8:04 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Chuck, the liberals are stalling???? Are you kidding me? Where in the world did you manage to come up with such a conclusion? Who is stalling who here? Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernake have come up with a plan which has the support of the Admistration and those so-called liberal Democrats. The "conservative" Republicans who have put ideologies ahead of the national interest are the ones who are stalling this. The Democrat controlled congress wants a Great Depression. What planet are you on? Give me a break.
irony | 8:15 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
"Louis(Chief of Police): I am shocked, SHOCKED, to find gambling going on in this establishment! Emile: Your winnings, sir. Louis: Thank you. Thank you very much. ..." (From Casablanca, but it could apply quite well to Treasury Secretary Paulson, Fed. Chair Ben Bernanke, Sen. Phil Gramm, and Pres. Bush with regards to the investment banks that gambled big, gave them huge winnings and passed the even bigger losses onto the rest of us. Kudos to Sen. Richard Shelby for fighting this. He was the one Republican to vote against Gramm's original deregulation and breaking the firewalls between different financial sectors. Does it make you feel safe that Gramm is McCain's economic adviser?
Stuart | 8:15 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Some of you folks need to study the causes of the Great Depression and understand it was the reduction in the money supply and the tightening of credit that caused it. Does this bill stink, yes. But what are the costs of letting these institutions failing? A freezing of credit and the capital markets will lead to a similar result as the last time it was tried.
David R. VanLangeveld | 8:23 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
There's plenty of blame to go around for both Democrats AND Republicans for this mess. It began back in the 1990's when President Bill Clinton(D) signed a bi-partisan bill into law allowing insurance companies and mortgage brokers to re-invest their assets. They had been prevented from doing so since the Great Depression. The senate version of the bill was written by Senator Phil Gramm(R). Among the 90+ senators who voted for it were Senator John McCain(R) and Senator Joe Biden(D). (Do any of these names sound familiar?) To be fair, McCain about 5-6 years ago did predict this house of cards would fall unless there was greater govermental oversight. As far us throwing all the incumbents out, like someone has suggested, Congressmen Rob Bishop(R) and Jim Mattheson(D) are blameless in this matter since they began their service in Congress several years after the bill was signed. And, Chris Cannon(R) won't be going back since he lost his race in his primary. You'd have to check the voting records of Senators Orin Hatch(R) and Bob Bennett(R) to see if they voted for the bill or not before throwing them out.
Craig Coleman | 8:47 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Tap the treasury? There ain't nothing in there to tap but a boat-load of IOUs.
Jason | 8:46 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
To Idaho Boy: the president may only sign bills into law, be he exerts a high level of influence through himself, his cabinet, and the supposed "non-political" federal reserve chair, Bernanke (appointed by Bush) on what bills congress considers. this bailout legislation is a prime example of that... who came up with it, why Bush, Bernanke and Paulson. Bush cannot, and should not be held blameless for the financial predicament we are in today.
Recession will be worse | 9:23 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Please realize that the recession will be worse if the bail out passes. Watch any financial analysis program and they all have the same concern that the result might be negative rather then positive. Huge risk to take if the experts aren't even sure this will help. Everyone thought Reagan's policies of limited government and reduced taxes would destroy the nation and for several years it was brutal. Yet, the nation survived and prospered greatly as a result.
Melissa | 10:23 a.m. Sept. 26, 2008
Capitalism is dependent on a free-market system. The more government gets involved the worse our situation becomes. We have to draw the line somewhere, and yes it's going to hurt, but in THE LONG TERM it is better to hurt now than slowly bury our posterity with debt to the Chinese.
re: For What it's Worth @ 7:29am | 12:11 p.m. Sept. 26, 2008
"The consequences of NOT passing this bill will be enormously painful"

I'm obviously not a banker because I don't understand why the above statement is true. But I can read the news. So Washington Mutual went under. Big deal, JP Morgan Chase was there to pick up the assets, the transition for WaMu customers should be fairly seamless. Seems to me that the market is correcting itself. Can someone explain why the bailout is necessary?
Anonymous | 12:14 p.m. Sept. 26, 2008
I think the Los Angelas Times wrote an article back in 1999 concerning the Clinton administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the giving of mortgage loans. a lot of you should look it up and read it. The only way we can truly fix our economy is for us as Americans to change our relationship with money and things. Teach your children that to spend money you have to earn money. if that does not happen this kind of crap will just keep on occuring.
Thanks President Bush | 1:31 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008
All I can say is thank you Mr. President for being asleep at the economic/domestic policy wheel and being all for privatizing and deregulating; what a fine mess it has led us to. Now we have 700 billion in corporate welfare and my kids will be on the hook for the greed of Wall Street. Though I am disgusted with this administration for what it has done or not done(sad to say I voted for him the first time) I do want to thank those who have fought and died to defend my freedom to express my opinion regarding my leaders. It is a true blessing that a good majority of the world do not have. God bless American and here is for brighter days ahead.

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Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd talks with reporters after a meeting to try to develop a plan to resolve the market turmoil on Thursday. He is joined by, from left, Rep. Barney Frank, Sen. Bob Corker, Sen. Charles Schumer and Utah's Sen. Bob Bennett.

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