Suspicious minds

It's starting to look like the Bush Administration just tried to bluff Congress into transferring $700 billion in taxpayer dollars to a a select few fabolously wealthy execs and their corporations. Chris Bowers is asking the right questions, 

1. Why did the Bush administration suddenly declare a "crisis" during the final two weeks when Congress would be in session during his presidency? Is it maybe because, after the election, Congress would know it wasn't dealing with Bush anymore?
   

2. If this is such a sudden crisis, why is it that the Bush administration was drawing up the plan for this bill for months beforehand?
   

3. Why is it that Congress is supposed to bail out many banks and firms that are actually quite successful and profitable right now, and not just those that are failing?
   

4. Why is Paulson blatantly lying to Congress about oversight?

5. Where did the $700 billion figure come from?

6. Why is Paulson urging that debate on the matter be held after the legislation is passed?

...I am not saying that there is no need for government intervention. I am saying that the case for a $700 billion bailout is far from having been made. Until the case is made, there is no need to go forward. We will elect a new President in 42 days. We swear in a new Congress in 103 days. What is the rush? Why does this all of a sudden need to be done while the Bush administration is still in charge? The case hasn't been made, and answers are slow in coming, if they come at all.

Let's hope that Dem leadership continues to push back on this. Perhaps we can cut a check to cover what's needed for the next 6 weeks, learn a little more about what's happening and then dole out more money as needed. That seems like a more prudent and responsible course than just handing over $700 billion to a lame-duck President and his Cabinet of corporate cronies.