How did we ever get to this point in our country when our congressmen give away billions of dollars and don't have any idea what happened to it. I wonder if they would give their own money away without accountability to where it went, yet they give ours away like it grows on trees. Send int the clowns-ooops I guess they are already here!!!

Wow, it sounds like Hatch gets it. These banks need to be accountable.

I would not give one dime to any company unless they filed for bankruptcy becauses requirements could be placed on the company as part of the reorganization plan.

The big three are in trouble because of union excesses. If they file bankruptcy, all these things can be changed. Executive salaries and perks can be limited.

I say we force the issue.

Does the comments by President Bush about how the 700 billion dollar bailout of the banks had to be done immediately sound familiar to the scare tactics that got us into the Iraq War?

You know "the only warning we would have would be a mushroom cloud comments."

We could not believe or wait for the UN weapons inspectors because Saddam was such an immenent threat to us here in America.

Do you remember the pictures that showed exactly where the weapons were?

I see a similiarity between Bush/Cheney and the door to door sales people who tell you that you have to buy today because the opportunity will be gone tomorrow.

Another similiarity is the bait and switch routine of the car salesmen. We went to war for one reason and then changed it when that reason was not valid.

When will we ever learn?

I agree with sen. Hatch and I hope the other senators do the same. I dont agree that every business that has their hand out for money should get some. They could see what was coming and could take action as to what to do for their business. I think they were asleep at the switch. When I was running my business every monday morning I had all the information as to how our business was going and if things were going down I knew what steps to take and to correct it. Why didnt the others see the same.

If the other Senators do not agree with Hatch or worse fight against him?.....Vote them out of Office! I am sick of these maggots who have destroyed the confidence of America? The congress and senate should have to account for their approval ratings!

No, Mr. Hatch does not get it. He voted for the original bailout package, which was a farce anyway (as history has unfortunately been required to prove), and now he's admitting that he didn't even know how the money would be used! No oversight, no stipulations. What is he being paid for? And this is in addition to the fact that he and the rest of Congress had no consitutional right taking that money from us, our children, and our grandchildren in the first place.
No, you don't get it, Mr. Hatch- and you're just like all the other political featherweights who claim that the ends (saving some jobs in the short term to make yourself look good) justify the means (overturning our free market system and charging full speed ahead into socialism). You are right that something needs to be fixed, but that thing is you and your constitutionally confused cohorts on Capitol Hill.

While I am in full agreement with Senator Hatch, isn't it a bit pandering to request this? I mean, duh, of course we'd all love to know where the money went.

With that said, I do hope Hatch keeps his word and votes against the authorization to release the outstanding monies without oversight. This would seem like a great time to hire a whole new staff (and create jobs -- win/win!) to track down and monitor where the TARP money goes and what is done with it.

If any company fails to comply, they should be required to pay back the money immediately. Hatch has the right idea, but without action, it is merely an idea.

The horse is already out of the barn. I find Hatch's current stance a little disingenuous. He and the rest of them should have established the rule of "accountability" with Paulson and the banks, right from the beginning. Zell, you're right - If it were their money and not ours, they would have demanded accountability.

The government got us into this mess and they're using the same approach and tactics in an attempt to turn our economy around. You can't keep printing worthless dollars and increase the debt, and expect a favorable outcome. I no longer have even a limited amount of respect for our elected "representatives; Hatch included!

A little to late,see how Sen Hatch votes this time around, we will see what he is really made of! he already voted for the bailout once, wasn't Sen Hatch Chairman of the Banking commitee?

I should clarify by what I meant when I said that Sen. Hatch gets it. His statement is good, but there is no doubt in my mind that the actions of our US Senate have been completely anti-USA. They initially voted down the $700 billion bailout bill (bravo) and then re voted on a modified bill that became the $840 billion bailout bill in force today! Words can't describe how upset I am that this happened. I feel like our leaders are selling us down the river for political gain. A terrible injustice to say the least. And to see all the money that auto unions pay to politicians convinces me that our government is one big pyramid scheme where the rich at the top are protected from harm and the middle class gets stomped on.

Note;IAM,Giving my name,Because MY CONSTITUTION GIVES ME THE RIGHT TOO SAY WHAT I AM ABOUT OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.# 1:Honorable Senator Orin Hatch
Sir:Let me say This,Iam a Constituant of yours,even
though I live in The State of TEXAS.I remain a constituant by virtue of your being a UNITED STATES SENATOR,of which,belive it or not,Texas is a part,Gives me the right too contact you in reference to the recent,Conspiracy of Treasury Secretary,Henry Paulson and fellow conspiretor,Ben Bernanke Of The " FEDERAL"???(not affiliated with the fereral Government)Reserve Bank,In their Bid to Extort $ 700 Billion Dollars,from the United States TaxPayers,BY BlackMailing The United States Senate,
to issue Said $700 Billion Dollars as a BAIL OUT Loan(Sometimes Called A Stimulus Package)After The House of representitives,Had Already Voted IT Down.
Thereby includeing The Senate as co-conspiretors,With Paulson and Bernanke,by useing typical Washington,Balckmail.
Of Course WE THE PEOPLE AND BOTH HOUSES OG GOVERNMENT,KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT,ALL THIS IS HOG WASH,AND WILL EVENTUALLY COST U.S.NOT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS,IN FIAT MONEY,But will be in the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS(IN FIAT MONEY),# 2- WHO IS TIMOTHY GEITHNER?,WHERE WAS HE BORN,I READ IN THE WASHINGTON POST,"YOU"WERE PRAISEING HIM FOR SAVING THE " GLOBAL FINANCIAL ECONOMY",IS HE U.N.SPONCERED?
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Continued Message to THE Honorable United States Senator;Orin Hatch,Sir,Just in case anyone should ask,IAM AN AMERICAN,BORN IN SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS.
I Belive In,MY GOD,MY BIBLE,MyFamily,MY CONSTITUTION,MY BILL OF RIGHTS,MYself, AND, YES MY GUN,WHICH I USE FOR SPORT HUNTING,But I Will DEFEND
MY FAMILY,MY HOME,MY COUNTRY,CONSTITUTION,BILL OF RIGHTS,WHICH IAM SWORN TOO DO,WHEN I ENLISTED IN THE U.S.NAVY,(52 years ago).I Honor MY OATH.AND MY SELF.....