Is a loan really a "bailout?"

Sorry, this isn't funny. I have an upset stomach and the ideas of bread lines for my 3 year old don't leave me in a funny mood.


Is a loan really a "bailout?"
The companies in question have made profits for years. Most have assets (land, houses, business, stocks, bonds, other investments) in the hundreds of millions. Unfortunately, these companies along with others are short on cash. Not bankrupt.


That is important. They can, given time, sell off their assets (how quickly could you sell your home or car and get what its worth?) and get some cash in their checking account to pay the day to day bills. But, a sudden drop in income (from an absolutely unexpected number of foreclosures and bankruptcies) has left companies like AIG short on cash, and there are few other companies have any cash to loan either.


My advise, if its worth anything, listen carefully to the political speak. If what a politician says gets your blood boiling then they are probably lying, or at best telling a half truth.


The issue of a CEO of a multibillion dollar company with assets in the trillions not getting his salary because his company was forced take a loan, when the entire U.S. economy is short on cash, is such a minor issue to me. Give the man his paycheck. Give his company a loan. Let the shareholders tar and feather him.


Congress has no business dictating salaries (BTW - I think minimum wage is a horrible idea in case you wonder where I come from.) ESPECIALLY when what is at stake is SO MUCH BIGGER than a man's million something salary. It just makes great headlines, sound-bites and late night jokes.


This has become a political BS job. Make no mistake, without the loans to these companies, the American economy will freeze. We think the photos from the great depression look bad? How would we feel living it? In my opinion it is that serious.


Write your congressmen and tell them to stop the political BS (most of them are millionaires anyway). Get the bill passed.


My three cents.
Bryan