Smart Liberal and Female

I’m not an economist.  I’m not a financial expert.  Hell, I’m not even sure I’m fiscally sound, but this bailout has really gotten me hot.

Everytime someone gets themselves into credit card trouble we are quick to point out they are stupid, irresponsible, and should rot.  All those people buying houses they couldn’t afford, we say screw them.  They couldn’t afford it, they shouldn’t have bought the damn house, and let them rot.  Right?

I’ll admit on some level I agree.  When you are irresponsible, you shouldn’t get a free ride.  I would love to have a house, but unfortunately in my neighborhood they have been far out of my price-range.  Who am I kidding, they weren’t even in the range of the range of my price range…if that makes sense.  So I didn’t buy.  I rent like millions of other schmucks and pay someone else’s mortgage! 

However, like many people in this country I have some credit card debt and student loans.  Wish I didn’t, but I do.  I also have seen what happens when you lose your job, and then your husband loses his job.  Then add a failing economy to the picture and try to find new jobs.  It can get pretty scarey.  Luckily we both found jobs…but if we hadn’t I shudder to think of the outcome. 

I’d love for someone to take care of my debt, but I doubt that’s going to happen. 

So why is it that Americans can lose their homes, be ridiculed over debts, and no one lends them a helping hand?  But when Wallstreet collapses, due to their own mismanagement and greed, the government is supposed to ride in on a white horse bearing gifts of money?  Or when the Big Three Auto Cos falter (again) we should give them a hand?

Wallstreet is still over paying it’s CEOs and upper management and throwing lavish retreats.  The Big Three are flying on their private jets, and think they should get a free payday…

I know my viewpoint is simplistic, but jeez, come on people!

I do not have a problem with the government stepping in if some conditions are met.  That’s right, I said conditions!  You are not getting my hard earned tax dollars for nothing, if I have anything to say about it.  Here’s what I want to see happen:

     1.  Limit bonuses and pay.  If you aren’t making a buck, you shouldn’t be drawing the big bucks.

     2.  Put some “skin in the game”.  I don’t want to be tossing them money without some security.  I also want these corporate giants to understand this is NOT a free ride.

     3.  Require them to show some business plans that are workable.  If they can’t do that, then let them rot.  If I went to the bank for a business loan, they’d want to see my plan.  Why should coporate American not have to comply?  We are talking a lot of money here. 

     4.  I also want to see some real coporate cultural changes.  Times are lean, and we are all adjusting how we spend out money at home.  These corporate greedsters need to understand they are on a beer and weiner budget like the rest of us, while on our dime there will be NO champagne and fillet for them.

Now, I’m sure someone is going to say what I’ve proposed is socialism.  Or they are going to say I’m stupid and have no understanding of the financial markets, and they are probably correct.  So I say fine, call it what you want, I call it common sense 101.  If Warren Buffett can fly coach and he’s making a crap load of money, there is no reason these other assholes should be flying private anything!