Tags: bailout

Another Hit and Run

In eerily similar fashion to last fall’s financial system bailout, the American people are once again having another piece of legislation jammed down their throats without their elected representatives even having a chance to review it. This by a new administration; one that promised that such things were of the past. However, when it comes to pork, all politicians are the same and this new stimulus bill has now grown to well over 1000 pages in the hours before the final vote.

The bigger question is how could an elected representative in good conscience vote for something they haven’t even had a chance to look at? At the very least, this is despicable behavior. This bill of goods has been sold under the premise that if something isn’t done within days that the economy will collapse. This is utter nonsense and fear-mongering – nothing more. An economy doesn’t collapse over a period of days. It has taken us well over 2 years from the beginning of the blowup just to get to where we are now. Certainly a few weeks could be taken here to at least give due diligence before committing the equivalent of fiscal suicide.

Unfortunately, by the time we actually learn about the content of this ever-changing bill, and its ultimate impact on us as citizens, the time for action will be long gone.

A Bailout Letter from "We the People"

Dear Elected Representatives,

In the coming days you will be faced with a decision. Once again, fear will be instilled in you, this time by a different group of faces. You will be told that if you do not act that our economy will collapse with all blame solely laid at your feet. You might even be told that martial law will result if you don’t pass the next stimulus and bailout bill.

This time you don’t have the distraction of a coming election. Nor do you need to worry about pandering. The American political memory is pitifully short, and there are almost two years before the next elections. So you can act in confidence and principality without having to worry about keeping your job. Such a sad state of affairs we have in America.

Let’s take a look at the last failure of government intervention. On October 3rd, you authorized over $800 billion in taxpayer dollars (which had to be borrowed) to save the financial system. It has been an abysmal failure. You’ve succeeded in doing little more than creating a giant financial parasite. A parasite that will require more and more resources going forward while producing nothing but a drain on the efforts of future generations.

Even worse, since October 3rd, the unaccountable Federal Reserve has created tens of trillions more behind closed doors, pinning the bill on the forehead of your constituents with nary a whimper of protest from the Congress. This reality is not indicative of the Republic our Constitution demands, nor is it acceptable as a means of government.

The net effect of the bill that will be put before you will be to increase the burden of government on the American people. When will you learn that the markets do a better job of allocating resources than government? When will you learn to stop rewarding irresponsible behavior? I credit you with having the intellect to figure out that when you subsidize bad behavior that you guarantee more of the same. Bank of America needed to fail. Citigroup needed to fail, AIG needed to fail. And the list goes on. Now they sit like an albatross upon the productive output of our already fragile economy.  How do you expect our economy to recover when you continue to pile dead weight on top of it? Despite the fancy verbiage that you’re likely to include in your terribly scripted reply to this letter, that is exactly what you’re doing.

It is time for the bailouts to stop and for responsibility and accountability to begin. It starts with you. You are paid a handsome salary and lavish benefits package (far better than anything your constituents receive) to represent them. Slamming them with debt obligations while telling them you’re fighting for them is a bald-faced lie.  I would like to know by way of a personal reply that you’re going to stand with the American people in this crisis – not with big banks, Wall Street, the unaccountable Federal Reserve, and the status quo.

Respectfully,

“We the People”

We encourage the general public to use any or parts of this text as they consider contacting their representatives about this latest egregioous breach of responsibilty to the American people.

90% of Americans say 'No', Congress says 'Yes'

Published on: 10/03/2008
Categories: Current Events, Economics
Comments: No Comments

Approximately 10 minutes ago, The US House of Representatives passed the bailout bill. While this was no great surprise, it is certainly a disappointment. We express our thanks to all that called their Senators and Representatives and voiced opposition to this bill. The consequences and repercussions of this act will be felt for generations. Stay tuned for our analysis of the short and long term ramifications of today’s action.

Paulson's Plan Irrelevant?

Published on: 09/29/2008
Comments: 3 Comments

This morning the local financial press was carrying the staggering news that the Federal Reserve was pumping an additional $630 Billion into the financial system through the use of currency swaps and their already in place TAF.  This announcement is only the latest in a seemingly never-ending parade of liquidity injections. As of the end of July, the TAF had totaled $735 Billion, and the TSLF an additional $647 Billion. August and September’s numbers notwithstanding, the total injection to date is a whopping $2.012 Trillion. 

As this blog entry is being written, the US House of Representatives is debating and preparing to vote on a $700 Billion bailout package for the US banking system crafted and backed by the US Treasury Secretary. There is much hype and disagreement amongst politicians regarding this package, but in truth, the Fed has been doing much of what the bailout bill proposes for the past year or so. Why then must we rush to judgement on this bill? The Fed has asserted all along that it is in complete control of the financial turmoil so why the big hurry?

It seems to be rather likely that once again the devil is in the details. Whatever poor excuse for legislation finally makes it through Congress must be analyzed carefully as it will most almost assuredly either legalize something that the Fed has been doing all along or will seek to accomplish something well beyond the scope of the Fed’s activities.

Doesn't take AIG long

Published on: 09/24/2008
Categories: Current Events, Economics
Comments: 5 Comments

AIG dipped into the Fed’s $85 Billion credit line as the company was unable to find appropriate private financing. The company also cut its dividend to common stockholders. The devil is in the details though; according to the agreement, AIG effectively never has to actually make another dime. If it needs money to make interest payments, it can just borrow from the credit line. I am sure that when the credit line is exhausted, it will quietly be extended ad infinitum. The government will own 79.9% of the company through preferred stock, will get 79.9% of any dividends paid, and will get to vote on shareholder matters even though preferred stock rarely enjoys voting privileges. 

 

In other news, the $700 billion bailout plan is running into resistance. It is election time and the general upshot seems to be that if we’re going to sign away the entire kit and caboodle then we’d better make sure the little guy thinks he’s getting something besides just the bill. WIth that in mind, riders are being debated about executive salaries, the prevention of foreclosures (what about HR 3221?) and perhaps even another economic stimulus. Fed Chairman Bernanke and Treasury Secy Paulson yesterday tried their best to employ scare tactics saying that if the sweeping powers they requested aren’t granted immediately, and without revision, that terrible times would be upon us.. Sound familiar?

Bailout #5

Published on: 09/17/2008
Comments: 5 Comments

Yesterday the Federal Reserve engineered bailout #5 of 2008; this time for mega-insurer AIG. Despite their earlier assertions that taxpayer money not be used, when push came to shove, the Feds did exactly that. While some will argue that the Federal Reserve doesn’t use taxpayer money, we know otherwise. While the Fed doesn’t collect taxes per se, they control the VALUE of our money. So when they pledge billions to back up the malfeasance of these financial companies, they are using OUR purchasing power to do so. 

So far in 2008, the bailout list stands at 5 in addition to the hundreds of billions of dollars already cranked down the rat hole since last year to keep the financial system from imploding. Let’s take a walk down memory lane…

Bear Stearns – 03/16/2008

Fannie Mae – 09/07/2008

Freddie Mac – 09/07/2008

Lehman Brothers  - 09/15/2008

AIG – 09/16/2008

Who’s next?

Bailout Information Kit

Published on: 07/28/2008
Tags: , , , ,
Comments: 4 Comments

Over the past 3 days, I have compiled quite a few resources for the public to use with regards to the bailout situation, which is gathering steam as the financial crisis unfolds. We have now had the tab for a Fannie/Freddie bailout hung around our necks in addition to the billions needed to prepare Bear Stearns for rescue not to mention the additional billions pumped into the system through TAF and TSLF. This is far from over. FDIC and PBGC are next in line, followed by Social Security and Medicare in the near future.

Last Friday’s piece contains what can be used as an open letter to Senators, Congressmen, and the White House to decry the recent housing bill with President Bush’s signature forthcoming or to rail against future rescue measures. See last Friday’s piece below:

Read More

Last night’s ‘Beat the Street’ covered the same topic, giving listeners more details about the situation and what is likely to transpire moving forward because of the fiscal recklessness. Listen via the link below:

mp3

Today I was asked to record a segment for the new contraryinvestorscafe.com feature entitled ‘Soap Box’. I chose to speak about HR3221 and the likelihood of more bailouts as we move further into the crisis. It should be posted on 7/29/2008. I will follow-up with a link as soon as the piece is published.

Complacency rules on banking crisis

Published on: 07/14/2008
Comments: 1 Comment

This is no longer just a credit crisis. This is now a full-blown financial crisis with the second largest banking failure in US history occurring over the weekend. There is a good deal of concern from regulators and market watchers alike about a cascade of banking failures. Yet, listening to many stories on television and other media outlets, consumer are being told not to worry. Keep spending; your money is safe. Is it though?

I would say to inquiring minds that the actual dollars are safe. They can be created from nothing at almost no cost. Thanks to the advent of electronic banking, they can be created by a few keystrokes on a computer terminal. What isn’t safe though is the value of those Dollars. In fact, the value of your Dollars was under attack well before the first adjustable rate mortgage was even written. Remember that every bailout and bank rescue just necessitates the creation of more Dollars; without corresponding economic growth. This is a recipe for inflation. The sins of 2006 are just now being felt by consumers. What about when we get to 2007 and 2008? If you intend to protect your wealth, you’d better stay tuned, read the commentaries on our site that discussed preservation of wealth and ACT. Some of these strategies were published two years ago and you can see the results of the strategies so far. It is not too late.

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