Current running total: $1,014 billion
Current U.S. population: 305 million
Number of taxpayers whose tax dollars should be taken to pay for the irresponsibility of others: 0
Maximum amount that can ethically be taken from productive citizens to pay for losses by those acting irresponsibly: $0.00
Total cost if the bailout is done correctly: $0.00
I can't think of a better fix for our financial system than allowing people to reap what they have sown. THose who gambled and lost will learn nothing if they are bailed out, and the problems will recur. In contrast, if the markets are allowed to work, lenders will make responsible decisions in the future based on an honest assessment of the risks, and our economy will function even better in the future.
The truth is that the Democrats killed the bailout so they could blame failure on McCain or at least keep him from getting credit. Like a stopped clock that's right twice a day, the Dems got it right when they delayed this bill.
I doubt it. They are not that organized and if they cannot come up with absolute proof John McCain said this or did that to hurt the proposals passage they simply look like obstructors again.