Hank Paulson, naked emperor

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 14, 2008 04:14 AM

My syndicated column this week rips Hapless Hank Paulson and his flock of sheeple in Washington. The latest headlines suggest that the auto bailout is in trouble. But don’t get your hopes up too high. Politicians will cave. And no matter what euphemism they use, you will pay for it.

***

Hank Paulson, naked emperor
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2008

Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson finally confirmed what lonely bailout opponents tried to tell the American public all along: The man doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing.

Paulson held a bazooka to taxpayers’ heads. He groveled on his knees in front of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He lured leaders from both political parties into linking arms in a panicked Chicken Little line dance for the beleaguered mortgage industry. Paulson demanded an unprecedented $700 billion troubled assets relief program for the good of the country. For the health of the housing market. For the survival of the economy. No time for deliberation. No time to review the failures of such interventionist approaches around the world. Now, now, now!

And now? The pulled-out-of-the-posterior “$700 billion” price tag has ballooned into the trillions. The “mortgage industry rescue” has expanded to banks, insurance companies, automakers, credit card companies, and possibly the entire national volume of consumer lending. Oh, and that vaunted “TARP” component, Paulson admitted this week, is nothing but a four-letter-word that rhymes with TRAP.

In September, Paulson offered his lofty pledge: “The ultimate taxpayer protection will be the stability this troubled asset relief program provides to our financial system, even as it will involve a significant investment of taxpayer dollars. I am convinced that this bold approach will cost American families far less than the alternative – a continuing series of financial institution failures and frozen credit markets unable to fund economic expansion.” Two months later, Paulson’s conviction melted faster than microwaved butter. “Our assessment at this time is that this is not the most effective way to use TARP funds,” he sheepishly told the nation Wednesday.

Hey, who died and put Emily “Never mind” Litella in charge of the economy?

Paulson explained at his non-mea culpa press conference that he knew when the bailout was signed that it wasn’t going to work as sold: “It was clear to me by the time the bill was signed on October 3rd that we needed to act quickly and forcefully, and that purchasing troubled assets—our initial focus—would take time to implement and would not be sufficient given the severity of the problem.”

Now he tells us? Would have been nice if he had made this clear — quickly, forcefully, and publicly — to the Beltway stooges who were pulling the TARP over our eyes. So much for Paulson’s earnest transparency commitments on the Hill.

Members of Congress who let themselves be bullied into switching their votes on the bailout should be experiencing the biggest case of buyers’ remorse in U.S. history. They fell for what Nobel Prize-winning economist F.A. Hayek called “the fatal conceit” — the disastrous idea that a federal bureaucrat has the knowledge to do a better job than the private market in organizing and directing an economy. They gave unchecked power to a single government official without a clue. Wielding his enormous authority, Paulson is desperately throwing our money at banks in a futile attempt to convince them to lend. Instead, those banks are either hoarding the cash or acquiring more assets. In other words: Paulson is helping the banks that were “too big to fail” grow even bigger with taxpayer backing. Swell.

The White House says: “We’ll just trust our treasury secretary to implement the program.” President Bush insists “government’s role will be limited and temporary.” Meanwhile, Democrat Rep. Barney Frank is shrugging off the lack of bailout disclosure by both the Federal Reserve and Treasury. But as I reminded readers before this latest bait-and-switch admission, Hank Paulson is not to be trusted. I repeat:

This is the man who proclaimed the subprime crisis “largely contained” in April 2007; “near the bottom” in May 2007; and “largely contained” again in August 2007. This is the man who pledged that he had “no interest in bailing out lenders or property speculators” in October 2007 and couldn’t “think of any situation where the backdrop of the global economy was as healthy as it is today.” This is the man who patted himself on the back for refusing to “put taxpayer money on the line” to rescue Lehman Brothers on Sept. 15 – and then turned around the next day and engineered the $85 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of AIG. This is the man who vowed he had “no plans to insert money” into Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac –and then turned around and committed $200 billion in capital and credit lines to those corrupt, bloated, crumbling institutions. This is the man who declared “the worst is likely to be behind us” in May 2008.

Emperor Paulson’s bipartisan courtiers in Congress berated anyone who dared challenge his wisdom. Minority Leader John Boehner sniffed: “This is no time for ideological purity.” Well, ideological pollution begat this mess. It’s time for a fiscal conservative counterinsurgency to disrobe and disarm the charlatans before they do more harm.

Posted in: Subprime crisis

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  1. Bloodthirsty Liberal » Bail, Not Bailout
  2. Free In Idaho! » Blog Archive » Losing Our Grip
  3. Hank Paulson, The Lying King.. | Citizen-Right
  4. Communists, Obama, and the Constitution « I Took The Red Pill (and escaped the Matrix)
  5. The Crap Sandwich Has a New Flavor « Trust, But Verify
  6. Bailout Blues « Rachel Younger Daughter
  7. Garden State Patriot | Malkin: Hank Paulson, Naked Emperor
  8. Paulson Lied–Economy Died or Bailout Bolshevik Bureaucrats Corrupt Capitalism Credit China « Pronk Palisades
  9. Michelle Malkin » The bailout Chicken Littles rediscover their heads
  10. Bailout bait & switch — Cranach: The Blog of Veith
  11. The Bush Bailout Will Support Socialism In America For One Hundred Years | Neolibertarian at large
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  13. TARP, Paulson, and the Pump Fake - Ford Mustang Forums
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  18. Dave Lucas' Notes » Hank Paulson: America Turns It's Lonely Wallets To You!
  19. Rahm Emanuel: “Sieg heil, mein Fuhrer!” « Mark Epstein
  20. Once again, Europe taking the lead in international security affairs » A Couple Things » A couple things about politics, sports, travel, and other stuff.
  21. WO’s Daily Roundup | Without Objection
  22. Bail and Switch | BobMaistros.com
  23. Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe Calls Out Hank Paulson : The Conservative Beacon
  24. Michelle Malkin » Road to GOP redemption: Roll back the bailouts, draw a line in the sand
  25. Links of the day « The Rational Actor
  26. Michelle Malkin » Kabuki theater at the Chicken Little Congress
  27. Michelle Malkin » Bailout alert: Senate hatches auto aid plan. Ugh.
  28. Here a trillion, there a trillion… « Hope for America Coalition: Join the Freedom Revolution
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  30. Michelle Malkin » Naked Emperor Paulson: Hey, gimme the rest of TARP dough
  31. Henry Paulson: TARP Burning A Hole In His Pocket « Jane Q. Republican
  32. Michelle Malkin » Porn industry wants a bailout
  33. The Skepticrats » I always thought they were recession-proof.
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  35. Bailouts and Bull. Go John Go. Part One « Sirius Thought: The Comedy Stylings of KJH
  36. No Surprise: The “bailout bill” is falling apart | Sequence Inc. Fraud Files Blog
  37. Michelle Malkin » So, Paulson lied? He’s misled America from Day One

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Comments


  1. #544195
    On November 14th, 2008 at 5:05 am, conservative in europe said:

    The BBC is loudly proclaiming that, “Socialism is now saving Capitalism”.

    What has really happened is that Paulson had a Trillion dollars printed and now the DemoCommies are running around trying to give it away – buying influence from large corporations for the next set of elections (remember who steered that money your way, GM.. We expect your support).

    Printing a Trillion dollars on “faith” (and not the good kind) does nothing but ruin the value of my retirement.

  2. #544209
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:02 am, vtskydiver said:

    I am afraid. I am very, very afraid.

  3. #544212
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:30 am, Insomniac said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 5:05 am, conservative in europe said:
    The BBC is loudly proclaiming that, “Socialism is now saving Capitalism”.

    And Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia…

  4. #544214
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:33 am, theloneranger said:

    But you see Michelle, the biggest problem we face with this “Financial Crisis” is that too many Americans just don’t understand Economics thanks to the public school system. You’re trying to blow a trumpet to people that don’t know what music is.

    You’ll have to dig out the chalkboard and crayolas before people will even begin to understand what you’re trying to tell them.

    Remember, a lot of America is filled with people who think an Affirmative Action President with no experience, no previous accomplishments and no qualifications that just got the job because of the color of his skin, is some sort of a “Messiah”.

  5. #544216
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:42 am, zorro said:

    Excellent Michelle!

    Socialism = The few (the Barney Frank gang) trying to seize power over the many.

    Keep in mind these are the same fools who couldn’t even operate the defunct House Bank without rampant corruption.

  6. #544217
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:44 am, et said:

    In the history of our country has there ever been a more incompetent buffoon holding such high office? Or is Hank Paulson the new standard?

  7. #544227
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:56 am, ajmontana said:

    I think we should call this auto bailout the EDSEL.

    Eagerly Distributing and Spending our Earned Loot

  8. #544229
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:58 am, jamesgreenidge said:

    Please, please, please! MM or Townhall, please alert the conservative grass roots like a fire brigade to put out the wildfires of $$$ socialism $$$ coming down the pike!! Please recommend ways outside phoning our ranks on the Hill how we can derail the steamroller! Thanks!

    James Greenidge
    Queens, NY

    “Christmas already? Whatever happened to Thanksgiving???”

  9. #544232
    On November 14th, 2008 at 6:59 am, ajmontana said:

    James,
    No Turkey for you!! 8)

  10. #544233
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:00 am, maine yankee said:

    I’m from the government; and I’m here to help you.

  11. #544234
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:00 am, paulrtaylor said:

    We should all start flooding the phone banks and emails of the congress to attempt to put an end to this madness. We did it the first time and it worked. The second time everyone got scared and showed support. We can not afford to let this continue.

  12. #544235
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:05 am, seveneleventy said:

    How can anyone criticize the Dimwits without them turning around and pointing to this as an example of how Republicans “manage” the economy? Any failures of the incoming administraion will be blamed on the present administration, and who’ll be able to argue with that assessment?
    It’s your legacy, President Bush, own it! Too bad you had to take down the Republucan party, as we need at least two political parties to make our system work. Your Mileage May Vary.

  13. #544236
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:08 am, Craig said:

    Michelle and I are definitely on the same page.

  14. #544237
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:09 am, corkie said:

    Back me up here Wall Streeters.

    I think Paulso is switching gears because the money is now longer needed as originally targeted. In those ares credit has begun to flow again based on hopes that a large buyer had just stepped up to the plate. I’m quite sure I predicted this last month as a possibility on this website.

    However, I believe that Paulson now wants to support the other markets by announcing his intentions to purchase different classes of distressed assets (the word toxic really is counter-productive during these discussions – liabilities can be toxic, not assets).

    Again, having announced his intentions, it’s possible that private buyers will jump in at these levels.

    Michelle, bash Paulson if you want. It probably helps the illusions that he’s trying to create. Yes, I’m nervous about this awesome power in the hands of Obama, but overall I think Paulson has done a great job with this.

  15. #544239
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:11 am, travlinman said:

    Give ‘em hell, Michelle! Keep their feet to the fire.

  16. #544240
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:18 am, DogBreath said:

    We’re doubly screwed! Once government starts tinkering with their usual hamfisted touch, they can’t back away.

    Think Social Security, subsidies for businesses, banking,…

  17. #544241
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:22 am, corkie said:

    BTW, Paulson hasn’t “printed” any money nor does he intend to print any money. While he really hasn’t spent much (yet) the paln is certainly to borrow.

    Printing would have devastating effects.

    You don’t help this country at all by making gross misstatements. Leave that to the liberals.

  18. #544246
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:35 am, FamilyMan said:

    Thank you Michelle for giving conservatives a voice. Folks please keep sending those e-mail to your congressmen. I know we all feel powerless now, but we must continue the process of dissent.

  19. #544247
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:39 am, FamilyMan said:

    corkie said: Printing would have devastating effects.

    Yes you are right, but I afraid that’s the only way government will grow out of it’s debt.

  20. #544248
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:40 am, rambler said:

    It’s time for another phone blitz to congress to remind them that WE told THEM not to vote for this bill. It’s high time that congress remembers that they represent us. Too bad we don’t have a way to fire them on the spot, instead of having to wait for an election. Their problem is that they have too much confidence in job security to listen to us.

  21. #544249
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:40 am, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Who is even IN Washington right now to listen to these idiots beg for money?

    The last administration shouldnt care and the next one isnt even in power for a couple of months in order to do anything anyway.

    If someone were going to attack the US, the next 8 weeks would definitely be the time to do it. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity for this big of a cluster-#$%@. I have to admit, I have zero confidence in our current/next government to do anything useful for the next six months

  22. #544250
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Why are gays are more militant over marriage rights, than the whole country is about the loss of the United States itself.

  23. #544251
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am, franksalterego said:

    Our little blogger’s histrionics aside, there are two ways to look at this.

    One way is, to do the same thing that was done in 1929 – sit idly by and let the free market collapse.

    The other way is, to pump cash into the system to try to avoid a complete crash that will impact millions of Americans.

    “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

  24. #544252
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:46 am, TMoney said:

    Michelle hits it out of the park again!

    Even as a poor man, I was against this bail-out from the first. Even a couple of financial people I know, who were for it at first, are beginning to agree with me!!! (and I failed accounting 3 times). Hey, maybe I should be in charge of the Treasury. hmmmm….

  25. #544257
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:56 am, fluffy said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am, franksalterego said:

    One way is, to do the same thing that was done in 1929 – sit idly by and let the free market collapse.

    The other way is, to pump cash into the system to try to avoid a complete crash that will impact millions of Americans.

    Nobody handles money better than Uncle Sugar.

    “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

    Someone hasn’t been paying attention. In 1929, the Feds tried to fix the economy. Smoot-Hawley tariffs, raise taxes.

  26. #544259
    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:58 am, txvet2 said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:22 am, corkie said:

    BTW, Paulson hasn’t “printed” any money nor does he intend to print any money

    But the Fed has dumped around another trillion dollars into the economy and Bernanke continues to tout a “loose money” policy. If that isn’t “printing money” the term has no meaning. You may be correct that Paulson isn’t getting ink on his fingers. You are wrong if you think that has anything to do with adding to the money supply.

  27. #544264
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:02 am, franksalterego said:

    Just one other thing, to add to my earlier comment.

    Does anyone see the similarity of buying stocks on margin, as was the case in 1929, and buying houses on margin, as is the case now?

    Throw in a natural disaster or two, and the situation is almost identical.

  28. #544266
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:03 am, FamilyMan said:

    franksalterego said:Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

    It appears we are heading into global stagflation as in the 1970s. We don’t know which economic model the new administration will use to mediate the situation. That leaves all of us with the inability to make personal adjustments in our own lives. In my opinion, the best we can hope for is a controlled collapse of the markets

  29. #544269
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:04 am, SoCal said:

    MM said: It’s time for a fiscal conservative counterinsurgency to disrobe and disarm the charlatans before they do more harm.

    Aesop’s fable The Mice in Council:

    Long ago, the mice had a general council to consider what measures they could take to outwit their common enemy, the Cat. Some said this, and some said that; but at last a young mouse got up and said he had a proposal to make, which he thought would meet the case. “You will all agree,” said he, “that our chief danger consists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemy approaches us. Now, if we could receive some signal of her approach, we could easily escape from her. I venture, therefore, to propose that a small bell be procured, and attached by a ribbon round the neck of the Cat. By this means we should always know when she was about, and could easily retire while she was in the neighbourhood.” This proposal met with general applause, until an old mouse got up and said: “That is all very well, but who is to bell the Cat?”

  30. #544271
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:05 am, mjh said:

    Robert Novak article, October 2007:

    WASHINGTON — Eyebrows at the Treasury were raised last Tuesday when Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. named a major Democratic fundraiser to an important advisory role. On the next day, eyebrows were still elevated when Under Secretary Robert K. Steel participated in an event spearheaded by Bill Clinton’s two Treasury secretaries.

    A longtime Republican office holder now in the Bush administration noted these developments and e-mailed a fellow Republican outside the government: “This leads some to wonder whether this Treasury has become the pre-placed Hillary Clinton team.” If she is elected president, it is presumed Sen. Clinton will want her own Treasury team. But she cannot be too unhappy with George W. Bush’s current lineup there.”

    Read the whole thing. As Limbaugh and others have noted, this was the October surprise.

    http://townhall.com/columnists/RobertDNovak/2007/10/01/hank_paulsons_dna

  31. #544275
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:10 am, franksalterego said:

    Someone hasn’t been paying attention. In 1929, the Feds tried to fix the economy. Smoot-Hawley tariffs, raise taxes.

    Well Fluffy, in case you’re interested, which party intends to raise taxes?

    Which party is espousing protectionism?

    Which party wants to go down the same road as was done in 1929?

  32. #544276
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:12 am, ajmontana said:

    “That is all very well, but who is to bell the Cat?”

    Michelle and us.. 8)

  33. #544277
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:14 am, txvet2 said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:10 am, franksalterego said:

    And if they do so, just as in the 1930’s, all of the blame will accrue to the previous Republican administration, and the Dems will name themselves the heroes when they write the history books.

  34. #544279
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:16 am, iamsaved said:

    This will be the darkest blot on President Bush’s Presidency. He should never have gone along with it.

    Paulson was the proverbial “fox in the hen house” helping his pals in the banking and investment industry.

    Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd went along hoping it would throw talk of their culpability under the bus.

    I doubt the Feds have any idea where any of the money has gone so far and will probably lose track of the money that’s not been spent.

    What fools we have in Congress.

  35. #544281
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:17 am, fluffy said:

    franksalterego said:

    Well fluffy, in case you’re interested, which party intends to raise taxes?

    Don’t capitalize my handle.

    This time? It is the Dems interested in raising taxes. Haven’t heard too much about protectionism. The fiasco in question, however, comes from the Republican administration.

    What does party have to do with this? A bad idea doesn’t change because a different person agrees with it.

    Correction: The line about Uncle Sugar was mine. I typed it in the wrong location.

  36. #544283
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:20 am, tre said:

    As Vladimire Putin suggested, lets hang him up by his …..

  37. #544284
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am, FamilyMan said:

    The big three auto makers need to be allowed to go into bankruptcy. Let the free market prevail. I know the term bankruptcy sounds extreme but a business can still continue to work, but under stricter rules outside their control. The big three adjustments are obvious. Union labor demands must be restricted.

  38. #544285
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:23 am, franksalterego said:

    And if they do so, just as in the 1930’s, all of the blame will accrue to the previous Republican administration, and the Dems will name themselves the heroes when they write the history books.

    You’re exactly right,

    The Donks will attempt to “Hooverize” the Bush administration, and Republicans, for no other reason than to strengthen their political position… They’ll do it on the backs of the American people.

    The Great Depression gave FDR so much power he was able to run for four terms, with little or no opposition.

  39. #544286
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:23 am, cabrerski said:

    String ‘em up…

  40. #544287
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:23 am, seveneleventy said:

    BTW, Paulson hasn’t “printed” any money nor does he intend to print any money. While he really hasn’t spent much (yet) the paln is certainly to borrow.

    Printing would have devastating effects.

    You don’t help this country at all by making gross misstatements. Leave that to the liberals.

    And you don’t help this country by denying that something is happening, and we’re being told, after the fact, if at all. I guess you must mean Paulson isn’t “literally” pringing money. Well, I guess you’re technically correct, but don’t lecture other people when you haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.
    Until we’re told what the plan is prior to implementing it, your guess is as good as mine. No one can judge if a policy is sound unless it is discussed in the open, not by a bunch of insiders who deem their “expertise” above reproach.

  41. #544288
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:25 am, Bogtrotter said:

    “….all of the blame will accrue to the previous Republican administration,..”

    You are certainly right about that. But here comes the “But…” LOL. While I agree with you 100% that they will indeed do this, republican leaders have little or nothing for we proles. They have ignored our interests, compromised on principles….I could go on and on. There is more than enough blame to go around, and I am sick and tired of all of them.

  42. #544296
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:31 am, wighttrasch said:

    ‘I drink your milkshake!’, indeed.

  43. #544307
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:36 am, beenthere said:

    President Bush insists “government’s role will be limited and temporary.”

    As the great Heinlein noted, there is nothing more permanent than a “temporary government emergency.” Pity there isn’t a Nobel Prize for foolishness. Bush/Paulson would be shoo-ins.

  44. #544308
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:37 am, McCloud9 said:

    “Christmas already? Whatever happened to Thanksgiving???”

    It is Thanksgiving for the Fed and ALL the recipients of the Taxpayers Sweat and Blood… “Thanks for Giving”

  45. #544309
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:41 am, FamilyMan said:

    seveneleventy said; No one can judge if a policy is sound unless it is discussed in the open,

    That is the problem. We don’t have enough transparence to know what the hell is going on. Lack of transparence got us into this problem and full disclosure is the solution. Let the free markets prevail.

  46. #544310
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:42 am, pueblo1032 said:

    Folks, you had better strap yourselves in, and ride this one out… Since so much GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION is happening, and more to happen, this could last 5 maybe 10 years… If GOVERNMENT had just let the markets correct themselves, this would be ROUGH, but it would probably be over in 18 months, 24 tops… I had the opinion, you don’t lose unless you SELL… Got my 3rd qtr report on my portfolio, down 35% for the year… Remained cool, reviewed my portfolio last week… Down 45% for the year… Had to do some quick shuffling to save what is left… Thanks HANK you sure have made this OL’ RETIREE real happy you are in “COMPLETE CONTROL” of my money… When i was active in the business world, down times were always treated as the WEEDING OF THE GARDEN… Those that were weak, fell by the wayside and failed… Those that were strong survived and became stronger… Now we BAIL them out with TAXPAYER MONEY… So much for SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST…

  47. #544311
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:43 am, FamilyMan said:

    Do any of you feel like I do, that the feds are treating us like children?

  48. #544315
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am, cpodug said:

    In regione caecorum rex est luscus. – Desiderius Erasmus(1466-1536)

    If ignorance is bliss, then those living inside the Beltway must be a bunch of really happy campers, and Henry is their leader.

  49. #544316
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am, FruNobulux said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:09 am, corkie said:

    (the word toxic really is counter-productive during these discussions – liabilities can be toxic, not assets).

    By “toxic assets”, I think they’re referring to the mortgage loans that may end up being worth much less than their book value. Remember, when a bank makes a loan to you, you have the liability to pay back the bank. The bank has an asset in the form of the loan, because they converted one asset (cash) into another (a commitment from you to repay a certain amount, plus interest).

    With respect to “printing money”, I think that has become a euphemism for increasing one or more measures of the “money supply”. “Fractional reserve banking” can increase the money supply because banks can lend most of what depositors deposit. Those loans go somewhere, ultimately into the bank accounts of the previous owner of the home that the mortgage was used to buy. I believe that by increasing the capitalization of the banks, thus boosting their reserves, Paulson did, in effect, “print money”.

    Sorry if that’s not all that clear, if you follow the wikipedia links on “money supply”, you can learn more than I could present here.

  50. #544317
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am, FamilyMan said:

    These are the largest holders of US debt and the biggest losers.
    Transparency….. Who will the feds be most influenced by?

    In billions of dollars
    Japan 585.9
    China, Mainland 541.0
    United Kingdom 307.4
    Oil Exporters 179.8
    Carib Bankng Ctrs 147.7
    Brazil 146.2
    Luxembourg 77.5
    Russia 74.4 7
    Hong Kong 61.2
    Switzerland 45.3
    Germany 41.5
    Norway 41.3
    Taiwan 40.6
    Korea 37.9

  51. #544321
    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:59 am, FruNobulux said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 7:46 am, TMoney said:

    Michelle hits it out of the park again!

    Even as a poor man, I was against this bail-out from the first. Even a couple of financial people I know, who were for it at first, are beginning to agree with me!!! (and I failed accounting 3 times). Hey, maybe I should be in charge of the Treasury. hmmmm….

    Sorry, TMoney, you have to fail more than that to be in charge of Treasury. It’s an important job, you know.

  52. #544323
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am, FamilyMan said:

    FruNobulux said; Sorry if that’s not all that clear

    Yes. That is perfectly clear, but will the guy on the street understand?

  53. #544324
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:04 am, FruNobulux said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am, FamilyMan said: Yes. That is perfectly clear, but will the guy on the street understand?

    I’m not the brightest bulb on the chandelier, I can tell you that, and I more-or-less get it. Whether or not anybody can understand it is pretty much a matter of whether they will bother to read about it, or just turn on the football game.

    Oh-oh.

  54. #544330
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:13 am, flaming_o said:

    I saw on the news this morning that NJ Gov John Corzine is being bandied about as Obama’s possible Treasury Secretary.

    I could have guessed that whomever Obama names for Treasury won’t be an improvement, but after Paulson’s performance under Bush, Obama’s appointment may not be much of a step down.

  55. #544335
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:20 am, FamilyMan said:

    If this all happening under the Reagan administration I know he would work in the best interest of United States. This present group of pathetic economists appear to be playing some big game that is more concerned with world markets.

  56. #544339
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:21 am, AmericanPatriot said:

    I’ve heard the story several times about the meeting where Paulson and Berbanke explained the crisis.
    Several said “the air was sucked out of the room and no one could speak for 10 seconds”
    No one will talk about what was said. There were several who were critical.
    I can’t remember who, but someone who previously seemed willing to talk and critical of the plan will no longer talk about it.
    It’s almost like they were seriously threatened.
    What the hell was so serious that we the people paying for this boondoggle can’t know.

    franksalterego, you need to review your history a little more.
    It’s been proven that government intervention aggravated and prolonged the Great Depression. Without it, there would have been a downturn but mucj less severe and shorter in duration.

  57. #544340
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am, reshas1 said:

    Keep government out of our lives… The just F*ck things up more.

  58. #544341
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am, reshas1 said:

    WHERE IS GEORGE SOROS??? And his billionaire whacko buddies who believe in a one world….

  59. #544342
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:26 am, cntryjoe said:

    Paulson is clearly an idiot and doesn’t know what he is doing (or he does, but his intentions are to cash out for himself and ruin everyone else). However, the total fault rides with one person, President Bush, for keeping this guy in this position. Bush quit caring about the economy of this country when the Dems took congress 2 years ago. I just wish Jan 20 would get here soon, so another treasury sec’y, a real socialist, is named, rather than someone who’s affiliated with the GOP.

  60. #544343
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:28 am, cntryjoe said:

    Paulson is clearly an idiot and doesn’t know what he is doing (or he does, but his intentions are to cash out for himself and ruin everyone else). However, the total fault rides with one person, President Bush, for keeping this guy in this position. Bush quit caring about the economy when the Dems took congress 2 years ago. I just wish Jan 20 would get here soon, so another treasury sec’y, a real socialist, is named, rather than someone who’s affiliated with the GOP. The ruinous Obama administration is now inevitable – let’s hurry up and get it over with.

  61. #544346
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:31 am, FamilyMan said:

    Can we all beat the hell out of Barney Frank now?
    I know it’s too late to change the part he played in this debacle, but I’d feel so much better.

  62. #544348
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:32 am, seveneleventy said:

    November 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am, FruNobulux said:

    “Fractional reserve banking” can increase the money supply because banks can lend most of what depositors deposit.

    One small clarification FruNobulux, the banks can lend out ten times the amount of their actual reserves, that’s where the “fractional” in “Fractional Reserve Banking” comes from.

  63. #544349
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:34 am, Mostly Annoyed said:

    WASHINGTON – Mortgage finance company Freddie Mac is asking the government for $13.8 billion in aid after posting a $25.3 billion third-quarter loss and expects to receive the funding by the end of the month.

    Ask and ye shall receive….. If you lose enough money that is…

  64. #544350
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:37 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Interesting that people blame the global collapse on the Republicans, when in fact, the economy and everything else started to collapse after the Democrats took control of congress in January 2007.

    Didn’t anyone notice that? Sure, there’s plenty of blame to go around, but the Dem controlled congress had two years to do something and they did NOTHING.

  65. #544352
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:39 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    FamilyMan #52
    Yes. That is perfectly clear, but will the guy on the street understand?

    Probably as well as Hank Paulson. We are doomed! Just what is there to understand? They are taking our money and promises of future money and giving it to people who can not handle their own money. The “guy on the street” appears to be against all these bail-outs but with the leadership of both Party’s supporting it we were clothes lined.
    Just what Paulson is up too I can only guess but the real culprits here are the President and Congress for going along. We do need to remember those too few Senators and Congressmen who opposed the bail out and support them in 2010.

    Happy Obama Day to all and to all a good night.

  66. #544354
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:42 am, cntryjoe said:

    Sure, it’s easy to blame Republicans for this debacle. When you have no response to these false acusations, they will only continue. The Republicans are still so afraid to respond to democrats, they may not be invited to cocktail parites anymore, and they still have hope of being liked by the NYT and Wash Post.

    Does anyone know what percent of the 9% approval congress got re-elected in the 2008 election?

  67. #544356
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am, dfern said:

    Seems to me that the so-called “mortgage crisis” could be solved as follows:

    Give one million dollars to each homeowner who is in danger of defaulting on their mortgage, with the stipulation that the money must be used to pay off their mortgage.

    If we make the ridiculous assumption that every single person in the US has one million dollars in mortgage debt, the entire “mortgage crisis” would be solved for one low price of $300 million.

    Am I wrong here? I would love to be educated by someone smarter than me.

  68. #544357
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Is it just me, or does that picture of Paulson look like Col Klink?

  69. #544360
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:46 am, dfern said:

    Sorry about the math error in that one — haven’t had my coffee yet…

    *blush*

  70. #544362
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:48 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am, Dexter Alarius #68 said:

    Is it just me, or does that picture of Paulson look like Col Klink?

    You are a cruel man Dexter Alarius- I have always admired you for that.

  71. #544366
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am, franksalterego said:

    franksalterego, you need to review your history a little more.
    It’s been proven that government intervention aggravated and prolonged the Great Depression. Without it, there would have been a downturn but mucj less severe and shorter in duration.

    That depends on what intervention they take.

    I suppose, you could consider pumping cash into the free market “intervention” if you like.

    Were I in charge, the first thing I’d do is, lower the upper tax rate from 35% to 30% and encourage investors to put their money back into the capital markets… It may be, that given time for that to work, we wouldn’t have to bail anyone out.

    I doubt, our new socialist overlords have the guts, the brains, or the even the inclination to do that… As pig-headed, and power-hungry as they are.

  72. #544371
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:53 am, FruNobulux said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:32 am, seveneleventy said:

    One small clarification FruNobulux, the banks can lend out ten times the amount of their actual reserves, that’s where the “fractional” in “Fractional Reserve Banking” comes from.

    Precisely. They can lend out all but a fraction of their liabilities (deposits), which, by the laws of arithmetic, must mean they can lend out many times their reserves.

    I agree I could have set it better, though. Thanks for the assist.

  73. #544374
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:56 am, FruNobulux said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am, franksalterego said:

    Were I in charge, the first thing I’d do is, lower the upper tax rate from 35% to 30% and encourage investors to put their money back into the capital markets… It may be, that given time for that to work, we wouldn’t have to bail anyone out.

    And reduce the corporate tax rate to 0% — let the taxes be paid on the dividends and capital gains. You wanna see investment? Try that!

  74. #544375
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:57 am, FamilyMan said:

    reshas1 said:
    WHERE IS GEORGE SOROS??? And his billionaire whacko buddies who believe in a one world….

    Playing with his non-transparent hedge funds. Selling short I assume.

  75. #544379
    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:59 am, seveneleventy said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am, dfern said:
    Seems to me that the so-called “mortgage crisis” could be solved as follows:

    Give one million dollars to each homeowner who is in danger of defaulting on their mortgage, with the stipulation that the money must be used to pay off their mortgage.

    If we make the ridiculous assumption that every single person in the US has one million dollars in mortgage debt, the entire “mortgage crisis” would be solved for one low price of $300 million.

    Am I wrong here? I would love to be educated by someone smarter than me.

    You set the bar kind of low.

  76. #544382
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:01 am, franksalterego said:

    And reduce the corporate tax rate to 0% — let the taxes be paid on the dividends and capital gains. You wanna see investment? Try that!

    Funny,

    how us free market capitalists all the think the same,

    isn’t it.

  77. #544387
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Not to worry folks – Obama will make sure to redistribute our wealth. You know, those “super rich” folks making $250K a year.

  78. #544393
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:07 am, Weary Citizen said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am, FruNobulux said:

    Thank you and well said. Corkie seems totally clueless on the relationships of borrowing/lending, money supply, and inflation (ie fractional reserve banking and fiat currency systems). “Printing $” is simply a conceptualization of the process.

    I am amazed at his statement: “(the word toxic really is counter-productive during these discussions – liabilities can be toxic, not assets)”. The loans a bank makes are assets, not liabilties, so I have no idea what he is thinking unless he is clueless on how finaincail statements work (ie Balance sheet and income statemtents). Therefore, I think his previous assessment that “paulson is doing a good job” is worth very little. Pumping $T’s into the system to artifically prop up the true value of the overinflated real estate values and bad credit risks is doomed to fail. At some point, the free market will work through it and establish the true values. It may be painful for a while but that is the only solution. Now, I don’t advocate the gov’t/Fed do nothing (the fed must lower rates and make adjustments to the fractional reserve requirements to decrease the pressures), but using tax $ is the least efficient way to control the inevitable.

  79. #544395
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:07 am, franksalterego said:

    Barry Hussein says, “Spreading the wealth is good for everyone.”

    I would retort with, “Spreading a good economy is even better.”

  80. #544398
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:09 am, PrestoPundit - Greg Ransom said:

    The buck stops at the top — BUSH held a bazooka to taxpayers’ heads.

  81. #544403
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:13 am, FruNobulux said:

    On November 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am, dfern said:

    Seems to me that the so-called “mortgage crisis” could be solved as follows:

    Give one million dollars to each homeowner who is in danger of defaulting on their mortgage, with the stipulation that the money must be used to pay off their mortgage.

    If we make the ridiculous assumption that every single person in the US has one million dollars in mortgage debt, the entire “mortgage crisis” would be solved for one low price of $300 million.

    Am I wrong here? I would love to be educated by someone smarter than me.

    I wouldn’t be so bold as to claim to be smarter than anyone, but if you’re proposing that the government give every homeowner $1mil, and, worst-case, everyone in the US is a homeowner, then you have $1mil x 300million people = $300 trillion. Small change, for the O’Bama government, admittedly, but still not quite $300 million.

  82. #544405
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:13 am, Azygos said:

    I called the Whitehouse to ask where do I apply for my bail out as I was planning on starting a failed business. I was hung up on.

  83. #544407
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:15 am, WisCon said:

    Spot on.

  84. #544408
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:15 am, franksalterego said:

    The buck stops at the top — BUSH held a bazooka to taxpayers’ heads.

    Thanks for the look backward… Just don’t stop at the year 2000.

  85. #544414
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am, Misscheryl said:

    The influence and power of the liberal, anti-religious left have increased over the past 30 years and they have sure screwed things up.

  86. #544420
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:24 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    This could be the single largest Bank Robbery ever committed.

    And.. it was an Inside Job.

    Paulson, a democrat, has unrestricted control of this money. And he’s funneling it to organizations that will make sure they return the favor at election time.

    It’s almost unbelievable that conservatives fell for this.

    Someone on Capital Hill needs to get a spine and have Paulson brought up on charges. Barney Frank, Pelosi and Reid as well. They’ve committed a fraud of amazingly vast proportions. They need to be jailed.

  87. #544421
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:25 am, Kevin K. said:

    I don’t suppose at this point that it is worth the effort to get Sec. Paulson to resign or be fired?

    The de facto nationalization of the American economy worries me. And under “The One”, I fear the government will only take more and more–”for our own good”, of course.

  88. #544423
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:26 am, FilmLadd said:

    Tar, meet feather. Tar and feather: meet Paulson.

  89. #544433
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:29 am, Gorebot said:

    Other than Socialist Insecurity, this is the largest act of inter-generational THEFT ever committed by a government against its own people in the history of humankind.

  90. #544435
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:31 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    corkie said:
    Yes, I’m nervous about this awesome power in the hands of Obama, but overall I think Paulson has done a great job with this.

    Holy sheet!

    Paulson??? Great job? He hasn’t done anything substantial yet, except admit that he was wrong previously and knew it at the time.

  91. #544441
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:33 am, FamilyMan said:

    franksalterego
    You want to see a free market? Get rid of the IRS and implement a national sales tax. Four to seven trillion dollars in off shore money would be here overnight. Corporation from all over the world would be clamoring for a position on US soil. The best part is our dear leaders in Washington would lose most of their power. Now that’s change I can believe in.

  92. #544443
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am, Gorebot said:

    When the revolution comes, I keep wondering where the next “New World” is going to be (?).

    Several centuries ago, it was North America.

    To where are freedom-lovers next going to go? All the land is spoken for, so it seems inevitable that a serious war is in the cards.

  93. #544446
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:38 am, Flyoverman said:

    For conservatives, it’s a target-rich environment.

    I hope they state our principles loud and strong when Congress resumes next week. And to get things off to the best possible start:

    Topic One: Petition the President to have Paulson fired and have him replaced by Mitt Romney.

    Topic Two: Letter for Reid and Pelosi DEMANDING removal of Frank and Dodd from their chairmanships.

    Topic Three: Letter to Obama DEMANDING removal of Rahm Emanuael from his chief of staff position for his past involvement with Fannie Mae.

    I have more topics, but these are a good start.

  94. #544447
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:38 am, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Paulson is part of a bigger scheme. The Vast LEFT-Wing Conspiracy is real.

    1) There are Socialists/Communists in positions of power throughout all branches of our government, academia, and Corporate America.

    2) Socialists/Communists believe that Capitalism is “Imperialistic” and that America is an “Empire”.

    3) Their goal is to “bring an Empire to its knees“.

    4) The path from Capitalism to Communism is a four stage process. We have already passed through the first two stages (demoralization and destabilization). We are deep into stage 3 (crisis) and going deeper. Obama is ready to usher in stage 4 (Communist Normalization).

    5) Every member of Congress has taken the following oath:

    I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

    6) The Constitution stipulates that:

    No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President

    7) The candidate known as Barack Obama has never produced a Birth Certificate proving his eligibilty (as a natural born Citizen) to the Office of President.

    8 ) Each and every Congressperson should be supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States by requiring Barack Obama to prove he is a Natural Born Citizen. The burden of proof is on Obama, not his critics. If Obama fails to produce a birth certificate proving he was born in the United States, and/or fails to prove that he did not give up his U.S. Citizenship when he was adopted by his Indonesian step-father and moved to Indonesia, then he has failed to prove his Constitutional eligibilty to become President of the United States. He has disqualified himself.

    9) This is a very serious issue, and must be treated as such. The very survival of our Constitutional Republic may depend on Senators and Representatives upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States

  95. #544450
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:39 am, heroyalwhyness said:

    “The G-20’s Secret Debt Solution” First, the G-20’s motive for a new monetary system: It’s driven by and based upon this very simple proposition …

    “If we can’t print money fast enough to fend off another deflationary Great Depression, then let’s change the value of the money.”

    It would be a strategy designed to ease the burden of ALL debts — by simultaneously devaluing ALL currencies … and re-inflating ALL asset prices.

    That’s what central banks and governments around the world are going to start talking about this weekend — a new financial order that includes new monetary units that helps to wipe clean the world’s debt ledgers.

  96. #544460
    On November 14th, 2008 at 10:45 am, heroyalwhyness said:

    #50 Family Man at 8:57 am These are the largest holders of US debt and the biggest losers.
    Transparency….. Who will the feds be most influenced by?

    China positioned to unleash global deflation It wasn’t that long ago that pundits were counting on China to rescue the world from economic calamity. Now, China may be poised to become a key source of the problem.

    After a recent visit to China, Nobuyuki Saji, chief economist and equity strategist for Japanese investment bank Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, issued a report warning that China could be on the verge of pushing the world into a deflationary spiral. The problem? Swelling industrial overcapacity, which threatens to undermine prices both for China’s exported goods and its imports of raw materials.

    He estimated that China’s production is running as much as 50 per cent below capacity, as many industries that have been expanding rapidly are now being hit by slowing demand both domestically and abroad. Based on his estimates, China alone represents 7 per cent of the global supply/demand gap.

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