You see, all of these people engaged in the same behavior as the Wall Street folks - risk. They took a chance that something would become more valuable over time and made a purchase, or, if you will, an investment. Because they are not networked with other Ivy grads though, we'll point and laugh at their flailing failures. Those who are within our own circles though, these captains of industry, will receive tax money to save them from their risky behavior.
I've just returned from a weekend in my home (red) state. The people there work hard and play hard, own their homes and, like most, have invested in one thing or other over the years. Most of these investments ended up costing them in the end. They wonder, over fried catfish and green bean casserole and Busch beer, "Where's my bailout?"
If the government is going to prop up the banks, there needs to be a form of bailout for the taxpayer on whom it ultimately falls. For one, the ridiculous preying of banks through insanely high credit card rates and fee structures needs to be ended through regulation tied to the bailout.
The candidate that can tie the bailout of the working man to the bailout at large and that can communicate this to the working class voter is the one that deserves to win and, probably, will win the White House.
The above has been on my mind since getting back to the city and it's a topic on which I'd love to expand. My thought was that some main-stream media outlet would hit upon this at some point, but, be it their insularity or inability to comprehend any non-weather stories, this simple thesis has eluded them. Finally, a piece at Gawker irritated me enough to put a voice on the thoughts.
Originally posted as a comment here: Things We Actually Like: Americans Scramble To Offer Bundles Of 'Shit' For Sale To Government.
