B.O. (bailout)--America's New Stink

If you read my earlier entry of today, you already know how I feel about the AIG bailout. America has started down a long and slippery slope which can only end in bankruptcy all round. We have already bailed out AIG, and they have sure made the most of it, haven't they?? A couple of junkets to luxury resorts that most of us will never be able to afford, and now a proposed $500 million to pay its top management (the ones who screwed up in the first place) in advance so that they will not leave the company! Is America a great country or what?!?!?!

NOTE: For any reader who doesn't realize it at this point, the above is sarcasm. The whole AIG affair, in this blogger's opinion, is one giant BCS (Big Crock of Shit, not Bowl Championship Series, although I think the BCS is also a BCS!)

So, here we are. Lehman Bros. does not get a bailout, but AIG does. Who made that decision? What was the basis of that decision? What will any future bailouts be based on and who will make those rules? WHERE WILL IT ALL STOP?!?!

If we bail out GM, what about Ford and Chrysler? If we bail out the auto industry in general, what about the steel industry, the coal industry, food service, hospitals and medical care, etc., etc., etc.? I heard on the news while driving today that Congress is now, or will soon be, receiving bailout requests from cities and states. Starbucks profits are way down? Are we going to bail them out or risk doing without our Venti White Mocha Latte?!?! Can America survive THAT?!?!

We live in, or are supposed to live in, a free market society, where every company, big or small, can succeed and be profitable or fail and be replaced by a better company. I run a company with 65 employees. If my company would ever go under, 65 people would have to find another job, including me. But the government would not ever think of bailing out my company, nor should they. But, if General Motors or Ford or AIG or Starbucks can't compete successfully, then they too should be kicked to the curb and another company will fill their spot. Too bad, how sad!!

However, as a final thought, I offer this information. I am a small business owner, as I stated earlier. I, and thousands more like me, provide 80% of the employment in this country. If the government really wants to get some "bang for their buck" in the bailout department, take the several trillion dollars and distribute it to these businessmen as low interest loans. Those business people, who are used to working and producing a profit, will expand the economy and produce new products and services, increasing employment, and pay the money back to the government. That would leave our economy a hell of a lot stronger than flushing the money down the industrial toilet by giving it to people and businesses who have already proved that they can't make a profit.

By the way, if anyone in the government wants to bail me out, it will only take about $200,000.00, and I won't even take a luxury junket!! WHAT A BARGAIN!!

America Makes Its Choice

Today, Americans across this great country exercised the cherished right of all our citizens to cast their vote for President of the United States. America has made its choice in electing Senator Barack H. Obama to be our next president.

During the past weeks of my new blog, I believe I have made it clear that I was supporting Senator John McCain in this election. I am disappointed that Senator McCain will not be our next president. However, it is now incumbent upon ALL loyal Americans to accept the the will of the majority and to support President-elect Obama as he prepares to take the oath of office on January 20, 2009.

As a loyal American and a patriot who loves this country unabashedly and completely, I will pray to God Almighty to bless our new leader with the wisdom and courage to guide our country through these troubling times in a dangerous world. I encourage others to do the same.

MAY GOD BLESS AND GUIDE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!