1) If the Republicans really want to be taken seriously, they have to pick their battles. Take this "handshake" flap that Obama has cuased by shaking Chavez's hand.
I understand the Republican's underlying pioint - that we shuldn't be chummy and friendly with dictators, especially with people like Chavez.
But - seeing the clip - what is Obama supposed to do? Chavez came over to within inches of him, handed him a book, and stuck out his hand. What, exactly, should Obama do? Ignore him and stare straight ahead? Push him away?
Creating a stink because Obama shook his hand when he obviously had no other choice is silly - and it undermines any legimitate criticism that the R's may have on future topics.
2) If banks take TARP funding to stay afloat, then they should have no choice but to accept the limitations placed on them by the government on topics like pay for employees, bonuses, and loan rates.
However, if the bank becomes solvent and would like to repay TARP funds (with interest), they should be able to do so at any time and "free" themselves of these limitations. Apparently, they are not able to do this as the government is not accepting their money.
If I was a bank, I'd call a press conference on the steps of a senator's office and wave a $100 million check around. "This check is for you, Mr. Taxpayer. Thanks for the timely help - now we want to pay you back your money with interest. Please urge your government to accept this as soon as possible!"
I'd also create a commercial with the same theme. Maybe this will put pressue on Geithner to accept these funds and to assure the American people that the government's involvement in how the banking companies are run is only temporary.
3 comments:
Agreed & Agreed.
The Republicans need to try & be the party that isn't playing politics & spinning things constantly because that is exactly what the Obama administration does.
The $100 million spending cuts are a joke! How can you sit up there with a straight face & try to spin this like it's a step in the right direction towards fiscal responsibility? You're rolling out trillions of dollars of new spending & deficits & you want me to clap about cutting $100 million from your department budgets. Give me a break. It's insulting.
Well said, Eric.
This is really embarrassing to see. And to listen to Geitner, Emanual, and company trying to explain their way out of this is absolutely amazing. The trust that I was building with Obama has gone out the window. He does not have the interest of the free markets in mind and is only doing this as a power grab.
Now watch, they will use the so called fraud issue on the TARP money as an excuse to somehow maintain control over the banks.
And on the flip side, why is Foxnews giving tv time to miss california in the miss america contest. Is it just me or did she not make any sense in her response no matter how much you disagree or agree with her comments, and that is probably the cause of her getting docked points. What exactly is "opposite marriage" that she was referring to? She sounded terrible, so why is Fox trying to make this into a gay marriage issue, when it is just a dumb blond issue. Ugh
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