The mega-financial bailout is what -- although perhaps quite surprised once again -- honest folk could fully expect from Republicans. Their government, actually their government's masters, will now own our finances -- all of them.
But this does not need to be a problem: The Democrats could simply say "No!"
So why will it be a problem? Because in our wisdom -- although we have learned that the Republicans are capable of the basest greed and treachery -- we of the putative opposition have been unable to comprehend the depths to which our Democrats' cowardice can sink. So, give yourself a break, spare yourself the grief: expect the usual token Democrat theater, then their endorsement of Bushco's gift to those of the eight-and-nine-figure salaried executive set, i.e. those whose mismanagement, greed, and corruption caused this disgrace.
Of course we could say that the Dems would not get away with this repeated, now characteristic spinelessness without the electoral support which provides their high offices and salaries. And here's where this fairly intellectually keen ex-traditional Democrat supporter runs out of answers, except perhaps for one. And that is we've allowed our tradition, our attitudes, our habits, emotions, our trust, perhaps even our hopes, etc, to overwhelm our grasp of reality. That reality is that our Democrat "champions" have repeatedly proved that in no way will they support the best interests of the people versus what they view as political realities.
To continue support of such representation as this is tantamount to supporting the Republican regime. It seems that one must now admit that whereas at least a portion of the Republican electorate supports its choices out of habit and innocence -- despite their blathering demagogues – we "intellectually astute and morally superior" Democrats continue to support our champions out of stupidity. One has difficulty finding any other reasonable explanation.
In conclusion: (1) We really should not be surprised by the endorsement of the bill by the majority-Democrat Congress. (2) It will be hailed by Republicans and many others as the realistic and necessary reaction to the crisis (shades of Naomi Klein's thesis!). (3) Most Democrats will not allow this to interfere with their pre-selection in the November election.
If any good is to come from this it will be some scintilla of realization by those desperate for decent governance that such will never simply blossom because it's right, but only by our selection of agents of integrity, intelligence, courage and goodwill.
The Democrats have not met those criteria, and have failed as honest opposition. We need to see through the advocacy to support the lesser-devil who cowardly and consistently endorses the bigger-devil. We need to wake up and find another way. Or to kiss America goodbye.
