[Richard Kimball]

No, the power elites got the money by giving pitifully small bribes in the form of campaign contributions. The congress passed this despite broad opposition from the public. The power elite got the money with no obligations. The taxpayer got the bill, with no benefit.

Think of the guys who steal $2500 air conditioners and sell them for scrap for $50. Since their cost was zero, they have $50 profit. The homeowner, OTOH, has a $2500 loss. The TARP, etc, was simply a legal way to do that. Legal, because congress writes the laws.

I'm no fan of anarchists, but one anarchist book had a pretty interesting claim: "There is no moral obligation to follow laws, because laws are written by the powerful to protect the powerful."

[Toddsterpatriot]

The power elite got the money with no obligations.

Except the paying it back with interest (and warrants) part.

The taxpayer got the bill, with no benefit.

Except for the part about it getting paid back with interest (and warrants) and the benefit of not having the banking system collapse.

Think of the guys who steal $2500 air conditioners and sell them for scrap for $50. Since their cost was zero, they have $50 profit.

Except for the 5% interest cost (plus warrants) for the TARP money.

The TARP, etc, was simply a legal way to do that.

Exactly! A legal way to lend money and save the banking system.

I'm no fan of anarchists

Well you have that going for you.