The worst part of the AIG/CDS bailout is that many holders of credit default swaps did not even own the underlying securities - it was a novel way to short the securities. And we bailed them out on their bets against the economy.
A lot of fictional money was generated on the books that allowed investment firms to leverage practically everything to include commodities in the top 5 too (2008 oil /gas prices).
To this date there still has not been any regulations enacted to prevent banks from leveraging at 80:1, where the norm use to be 12:1, 15:1 tops.
That is the golden calf that the taxpayer paid for but 'they' keep.
Repeal of the Glass-Stegall Act under the GOP watch was the first step to the global rip-off.
Couple the fore mentioned with the recent SEC vote of 4-1 in January to enact rules ('legislation') to allow money market mutual funds / investment companies / banks to deny payouts to investors 'in the event of a crisis' even in proven & documented financial hardship really has soured my stomach.
No where in the 'rules' changes is it specified (I have read it several times) does is specify what constitutes 'a crisis'. That is one major loophole and a huge red flag.
Though the rule changes specifically addressed money market mutual funds, there is no grace period to prevent investment institutions from rolling all money market monies (bank CD's included) into a money market mutual fund w/o the investors consent.
Some major is coming down the tubes very very soon and it ain't no cake walk.