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Viewer Comments On The Rescue Plan: Part 2

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Viewer Comments On The Rescue Plan: Part 2

  We asked what your thoughts were on the revised economic rescue package. Here are your responses:

Again the pork wins out! Wake up America! Until we have a Constitutioal Amendment for term limits so these clowns can't make a CAREER out of politics, nothing will change. If they are only elected for one Senate term (6yrs) or 2 House terms (4yrs)then maybe they will REALLY represent the people. – Joan Williams

Any taxpayer paid bail out does not make sense...and add tax cuts and put the country deeper in the hole....what the heck..let the pieces fall were they may... – Roger Hildreth

This is a bailout for billionaires. As a common taxpayer, I will end up in an even worse position than I am now, when this piece of garbage legislation is signed. Where were our leaders when this "crisis" was developing? Where was the president with all of his statements about protecting the security of the United States? I don't trust Congress and I especially don't trust these politicians today - they are all just trying to gloss over the fact that they have been bought and sold to the highest bidder and now they want our support to continue their malfeasance in office. This is nothing more than an act of terrorism against the common citizens in making a deal that will bankrupt this country. Every legislative and executive leader should be brought up on charges of treason. People have been suffering for years. Is Congress just figuring it out now? – Kevin Olson

Do not fall victim to the hype in this lead news piece. It is intended to rouse controversy and most viewers are biting. The bailout package is going to be used to buy the "toxic assets" which investment banks got stuck with in their zeal to improve their profits. These assets will be bought, case by case, and NO CEO's golden parachutes will be included. In fact, many participants of these schemes are being investigated for malfeasance. If you ask me, I believe the ones who should be brought to court are the developers/mortgage brokers who made all these bad mortgages for people who had no down payments & not requiring proof of income to obtain those $250K bank loans! As for the Pork Barrel money, doesn't anyone remember? This happens at the end of every session of Congress! It is nothing new! – Economics Lesson

The economy should have never gotten this bad in the first place! The burden of this rescue package should have NEVER fallen on us taxpayers. In my opinion, these "fat cats" of the failed companies should have to give back their millions and billions in these golden parachute packages. Why do they deserve that? For mismanaging their companies and helping millions of people lose their jobs???? Come on people, It's called "common sense!" They didn't deserve the money and they shouldn't be able to keep it! Take their money back and bail out the economy. You'd probably have some left over to put in the banks! Period!!!! Greed, Greed, Greed! – Monica

The economy should have never gotten this bad in the first place! The burden of this rescue package should have NEVER fallen on us taxpayers. In my opinion, these "fat cats" of the failed companies should have to give back their millions and billions in these golden parachute packages. Why do they deserve that? For mismanaging their companies and helping millions of people lose their jobs???? Come on people, It's called "common sense!" They didn't deserve the money and they shouldn't be able to keep it! Take their money back and bail out the economy. You'd probably have some left over to put in the banks! Period!!!! Greed, Greed, Greed! --Monica1025

This plan creates an extreme vacuum! In other words "it Sucks". The plan below is a plan I can support. I have no idea who came up with it, but I sure like it. I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a "We Deserve It Dividend". To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide U.S. Citizens that are 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- , counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.. So divide 200 million adults ages 18+ into $85 billion and that equals $425,000.00. My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%. That means that every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But that also means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family? Pay off your mortgage - the housing crisis is solved. Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads Put away money for college - what a great way to help our kids and ourselves Save money in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs. Buy a new car - create jobs Invest in the market - capital drives growth Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ and that is including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces. If we're going to re-distribute wealth, let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President. If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+! As for AIG - liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't. Sure it's a crazy idea that can never work. But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, This plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam. Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest! --Jacquelynne Peluso

I think people's opinions on the bail out might vary according to age. My husband is only five years away from retirement and we've seen our 401K lose one third of it's value in the past few months. If you're younger there's more time for the market to recoup so you don't care if the market falters but now we're wondering if he'll have to work longer to make up for what we've lost. --Debbie Dudek

What in the world do toy wooden bow and arrows have to do with our economy? The Congress really makes a mockery of themselves and thinks we're stupid! --Debbie Dudek

This is another pork instance of fat cats and politicians using a situation to pork barrel on. The people who created this problem should be placed under charges and required to re-pay those golden parachutes, etc. They throw the poor and middle class a bone and give a bow & arrow maker big money. What's that about. Also Alaska is shoveled some money along with others. This is totally ridiculous. The poor and middle class get poorer and the rich get richer. It makes me sick !!!! --Mehlanie Spears

Why, on an issue as important as the fiscal strength of this nation were there pork barrel issues added into the bank rescue bill. I think it is way past time for Presidential line item veto to be allowed. Then we'll really be able to tell how good a President is vs how easy it is to appease the lobbyists. I can see the add on for education but not to bail out Alaska so many years after the oil spill or help some manufacture of wooden arrows and bows. Give me a break, its same old, same old business as usual in congress. --Marsha O'Keefe

I don't know about you, but if I had the worlds largest economy dependng upong me for resolution, I certainly would stay at the job over the July 4th holiday or any other holiday to get it done. In this case, we are paying for more extrordinary travel expenses for some go on a holiday. Unbelievable that this doesn't bother the American people. --Doug Edwards

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION This $700 billion bailout which has now bloated to $805 billion is screaming TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. "We the People" have elected these politician - senators, representative, congress - who are supposed to be PUBLIC SERVANTS to represent "We the People". They are NOT to give favors or please other politicians, lobbyists and special interests groups. This is an outrage and "We the People" need to speak up and voice this outrage LOUD AND CLEAR. I do not want to be forced to pay with my hard earned money for this crisis that I have not caused!! Let those who caused this crisis pay FINANCIALLY AND BE CRIMINALLY INDITED FOR THIS MESS. --Lucy

I will not be voting for anyone in Washington that was a proponent for this bill or who voted for it. That means I will NOT be voting for Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, or Senator Barack Obama, and certainly not John McCain. This bill (HR 3997) with the added pork amendments (over $100 billion) that had to be attached to make it pass, is an insult, a slap in the face to every average American. Never a fan of politicians, this one put me over the edge. This was like rewarding the fox for killing the chickens. As I said, I will not be voting for anyone who encouraged or voted for the passing of this bill. They do NOT represent me. --Ronald H. Rodriguez

This is unbelievable. Now unemployment benefits extensions, no attempt to enhance or extend COBRA healthcare benefits, but boy, I am sure glad that wooden toy makers and people effected by an oilspill over 20 years ago are taken care of! Your news clip showed a lady struggling with 2 home mortgages. Why is that my fault? If I had that problem, i would have moved a long time ago! --Doug Edwards

I am furious. I have been out of work from an industry that has outsourced good jobs overseas, and now the very issue the presidential candidates are touting (no earmarks and pork barrel spending) entered into the picture and cost us another $105 Billion! How can one person ever stop the lobbyists and special interest way of Washington? Enough is enough. --Doug Edwards

I thought it stinks. More of the same, Washington polictics, looking out for number one and what they can get. Why do you have to bale out those money hungry Wall Street jerks? We need a whole new bunch of senators that would care about us. --Ted Tollefsen

The people who are so afraid "the taxpayers" will have to pay for this should be glad they've still got "blood" in their wallets to be squeezed out! I haven't had to file a tax return for 2 years, and isn't that I'm unqualified or unwilling to work. You who still have jobs are no better than I am. Get off your high horses; their legs are weak. --Jean SmilingCoyote

It is my belief we the people have not been told the entire truth about just how bad the financial crisis is. I expect as usual for taxes to rise to the point people lose their small businesses and homes. The middle class is comprised of the working poor which seems to be ignored and goes unvalidated by Washington. I would love to see Washington live on the middle class income. Do all their entertaining, medical bills, food car, insurance, etc. on the income we try to live on. I guarantee you they cannot and they will find every excuse why they shouldn't and don't have to. Why is it impossible for Washington have a bill without tags on it to sweeten the pot? It's just another case of who is running the country, lobbyists and Wall Street. All of them are out of touch with the reality of the struggle of the middle class and frankly they don't care. For a country where all are created equal and class distinction is unconstitutional it appears to be alive and well. What NEEDS to occur is all those people with high interest credit cards the rate is slashed in half and the minimum payment back to a normal reasonable payment instead of doubled. The high interest mortgages again needs to be brought to prime rate NOT ABOVE. Poor people, the middle class cannot be successfully penalized for being poor and forced to pay more. Get a clue financial experts, your theories don't work in practical application. --Sally Olin

I am livid. My husband (who's on disability) & I can't make ends meet, we fear losing our home, which we can't even sell unless I give it away, & then where would I live? We are watching our 401K/IRAs dwindle daily, we are shopping at thrift stores and WE'RE BAILING OUR MILLIONAIRE EXECUTIVES WHO HAVE IRRESPONSIBLY DESTROYED WALL STREET?!! Now we have to pay approximately $5000.00 in additional taxes!! UNBELIEVABLE! They should have given the $805 billion Tto the taxpayers so we could pay our mortgages and stimulate the economy by spending. I sure hope the executives don't have fear losing their multimillion dollar home, that would be a real shame. We should be looking forward to our golden years but will probably be looking at welfare. We have worked hard all our lives, paid our bills, taxes and played by the rules, without any bailouts from anyone. Our politicians/representatives should be ashamed of themselves. Where were they when this train wreck was still on the track? --Colleen

I do not agree with the bailout package because our government is spending more then what the public can afford. I believe both political parties have failed the American public. --Mark Baldridge

Any earmarks for counseling Cubs Fan? --PJ

I thought John McCain was against earmarks. Sounds like their are some earmarks in the rescue package and he voted for it? --Brian

I have just sent the following message to Sen. Obama and a slightly revised version to Sen. Durbin: How dare you support legislation that adds more than $1 billion in earmarks to the economic bailout? I am knowledgeable about the economy and the necessity for to keep the credit markets moving. But I am furious that you and your fellow senators have added unrelated pork to the bailout. I have supported you and your campaign and contributed more than once to the extent that I can possibly afford it, tho I am retired. You have lost my vote because I now realize that all politicians are whores. I'll be staying home on election day because I realize my interests do not matter. I feel like I've been duped once again.

i believe that all the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer if the senate wanted to help us they should think about about the rich and make them pay more for the bail out instead of us and our children, i belive that the poor and middle clase need help instead of the rich. we have lost our home and have to rent and wonder where the money will come from , to pay our bills i wish the senate had to go thru this,the losing your home every thing have worked for and now gone , and you have to live from pay check and still not enough to go around

Bailout or Rescue? Wall Street or Alaskan fishermen? What a mockery! --Phil

More money for makers of wooden bows and arrows, fishermen in Alaska and all the rest?????????????? How does that help Wall Street OR Main Street? --Cheryl Martin

Wow! Who knew our economy would collapse if bow and arrow toymakers didn't get a bailout? This is truly foolish Washington pork barreling! --Phil from Melrose Park

I think the people on Main Street USA are getting the shaft..AGAIN. Wall Street will reap and benefit from their fiasco. It seems to be the same old story....The rich get richer and the poor and middle class get ZERO! and thats putting it lightly. --Lawrence E. Golon

It is my belief we the people have not been told the entire truth about just how bad the financial crisis is. I expect as usual for taxes to rise to the point people lose their small businesses and homes. The middle class is comprised of the working poor which seems to be ignored and goes unvalidated by Washington. I would love to see Washington live on the middle class income. Do all their entertaining, medical bills, food car, insurance, etc. on the income we try to live on. I guarantee you they cannot and they will find every excuse why they shouldn't and don't have to. Why is it impossible for Washington have a bill without tags on it to sweeten the pot? It's just another case of who is running the country, lobbyists and Wall Street. All of them are out of touch with the reality of the struggle of the middle class and frankly they don't care. For a country where all are created equal and class distinction is unconstitutional it appears to be alive and well. What NEEDS to occur is all those people with high interest credit cards the rate is slashed in half and the minimum payment back to a normal reasonable payment instead of doubled. The high interest mortgages again needs to be brought to prime rate NOT ABOVE. Poor people, the middle class cannot be successfully penalized for being poor and forced to pay more. Get a clue financial experts, your theories don't work in practical application. --Sally Olin

This bill is a communistic piece of legislation. If it is passed will make the U.S. the textbook definition of a fascist state. This bill only benefits the ones who caused the problem to begin with. This is just another ploy to repress the already repressed American Citizens. This is also a smaller part of a bigger plan to create a one-world financial mecca including the European financial market (which is in dire straits as well). The plan is to weld these 2 markets together & then in time weld it to the eastern financial meccas as well. Let the bill die!!! Citizens need to REVOLT!!! THIS IS OUR DUTY AS CITIZENS OUTLINED IN THE CONSTITUTION!!!! A new American revolution is on the horizon!!! Mark my words!!! The masses will get fed up eventually & fight the tyranny that we are obligated to fight per our fore-fathers & the U.S. Constitution!!! When this happens, martial law will be imposed & hopefully We will overcome this tyranny!!! --Joe Kay

Still think it should be focused more on helping the littel people; i.e taxpayers.How will helping big businesses put a stop to home foreclosures? Maybe a moritorium for banks to freeze rate adjustments until people are working again.... --Kathy

I am absolutely LIVID!!! that the Senate could pass such a measure. 700 billion was to much, adding another 105 in pork. I could not express my anger in a civil manor. How in Gods name can they approve such rubbish. This is like giving a thief the reward money for turning himself in so he could bail himself out of jail! Needless to say I'm writing my congresman tonight!!! --Bradley Martin

This is the worst of all bills. I hope the House of Reps vote it down-down-down. --LMARCHINI

The bailout package is disgusting!!!! Obama wants accountability, then he should seek the perpetraters within his own Party. The Democrats have our country headed for Socialism..The Democrats loved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Wake up Republicans and tell the facts --Margaret Alexander

I feel the package will definitely help the American economy. What I don't understand are the top 5 CEO's leaving with millions of dollars. Alan Fishman worked 18 days at WAMU and left with a $7.5 million signing bonus and $6 million in severance; Richard Fuld with Merrill Lynch worked 11 months and he may exit with nearly $200 million; Richard Fuld, Jr. worked 15 years for Lehman Brothers and received $22 million bonus in March while pocketing about $500 million while leading the company only Robert Willumstad of American International Group who lasted 3 months declined a $22 million severance package. These people helped put the economy in the mess it's in and they don't look like they're hurting much. Do they really need that much money? Give me a break. The american public needs to know this. --Mary Anne Muscat

Why not give every American over 18 years of age and a citizen paying taxes in this great country $200,000, which would be much cheaper then the bail out. This would allow mortgage holders to pay down or off their mortgages and free up that financial money that Wall St. is crying about. Please HOUSE say "NO" to "BAIL-OUT", "RESCUE" or whatever the hell you want to call it. It is just not worth the future it will bring. --Jennie

It is outrageous that 105 Million Dollars has to be added to the $700 Million bail out to "sweeten the deal" so congressmen will approve it. Citizens should not have to pay for extra perks to gain congressional approval. I vote no to the $805 Million Dollar bail out. Congressmen are not putting America first. They are lining their pockets and putting the average American last. --Joanne Pentek

i am so mad that i have a migrane!!! i'd rather see this country go into a depression than help the pigs on wall street!!!! --Michael

I am about to loose my home due in a large part to greed and financial games being played here at the local level and we're going to spend hundreds of billions on the high rollers on Wall Street plus wooden toys? There's nothing in in for us little people, it's like being absorbed by the Borg. --Sheri Trent

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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