Is anyone else as angry as I am that the media is devoting so much time to the election?  As if that is the story right now?

Well, I said yesterday that I felt like the world was trapped in an Ayn Rand novel.  Today we learn that the person who will distribute the money is Neel Kashkari.  You can’t make this up.

And then this is Bush today:

Bush emphasized that the program must be effectively designed and not rushed into action.

“It’s going to take awhile to restore confidence in the financial system,” he said. “But one thing people can be certain of is that the bill I signed is a big step toward solving this problem.”

Bush signed the bill into law after Congress approved it last week.

We don’t want anything rushed into action?  We just got a Shock & Awe Bailout shoved through Congress and now we don’t need to rush?  If we’re supposed to be so careful and cautious now, why not in the crafting of the bill?

In fact, according to this clip from Cspan, Congress was told there would be martial law without the plan.

[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/gnbNm6hoBXc” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

In the meantime, now that the deed is done, those who betrayed voters are not willing to say that they voted as they did because they were scared out of their minds.  And that is probably true since they waited until they got a load of pork handed to them.  But they insist that the Bill was now “imporved” and that this was the result of years of “deregulation.”  Right, that’s why Europe’s banks are tanking–because they were so infatuated with Reagonomics.

Back in July, Robert Novak pointed out the Goldman-Sachs cronyism that Paulson seems to be able to get away with.  But has there been any sign of interest in the mainstream media since them now that the stakes have gotten far higher?  The wonderfully-named Kashkari is from Goldman Sachs.  Why hasn’t anyone in the press shown an interest in hard-hitting, follow-the-money journalism.  Surely there is one reporter out there who isn’t so busy campaigning for Obama that he could try to investigate the story of the century?

It is not like it would be hard.  Bloomberg reported, “Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley may be among the biggest beneficiaries of the $700 billion U.S. plan to buy assets from financial companies while many banks see limited aid, according to Bank of America Corp.”  That was the lead sentence in a story with the same headline.  It mentions in passing, ” Paulson is a former chairman and chief executive officer of Goldman.”  So is his appointment, Kashkari.  But will anything be said about the propriety of this?  What the frack is wrong with people?

In the meantime I reproduce below the stupid letter you get from turncoat Congressmen who voted for this pork-stuffed monstrosity.

October 6, 2008 

Dear MR Horne: 

Thank you for sharing your concern about the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. As you know, this legislation was considered by Congress this week in order to stabilize the U.S. financial and credit markets. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

Like you, I am deeply troubled by the current economic situation in our country. Years of de-regulation of the financial markets, coupled with lax oversight by this Administration of these institutions, has had devastating effects on the lives of millions of Americans. While I do not support paying billions of taxpayer dollars to bailout an industry that made poor decisions, the risk of taking no action at all is too great to our economy, and to the financial stability of all Americans. For this reason I voted for the financial rescue package.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will unlock the credit market that is essential to both individuals and businesses. Without a properly functioning credit market, small businesses risk not making payroll and individuals will have increasing difficulty obtaining car loans, home loans, student loans, as well as other forms of credit upon which we all rely. This legislation will require the government to develop a plan to reduce foreclosures as it buys troubled financial assets, allows the government to purchase other types of mortgages to unfreeze the credit market, and allows the government to purchase certain troubled assets from pension plans to ensure individual retirement security.

The economic rescue package considered by the House is a vast improvement over the original proposal put forward by the Bush Administration. It will insulate the American people and Main Street from the crisis on Wall Street and protect taxpayers as we stabilize the markets. Without decisive action, experts believe the situation will only worsen, credit markets will freeze and Main Street will suffer. Working Americans will not be able to take out basic home and car loans, small businesses will not be able to make their payrolls, and credit card interest rates will soar.

Following the House vote, on Monday, the stock market plunged sharply, costing the American economy $1.2 trillion. Americans across the country instantly saw their 401ks, pension plans, and college accounts lose value, making the need to take decisive action even more clear. This legislation is not just a bailout of Wall Street; it is more importantly a buy-in so that we can turn our economy around and help hard working Americans.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 considered by Congress includes great taxpayer protections by ensuring taxpayers are repaid in full with Wall Street making up the difference. Also, the bill gives taxpayers a share of the profits of participating companies and puts taxpayers first in line to recover assets if a company fails. A major concern I raised was the lack of oversight contained in the original plan proposed by the Administration. That is why I was happy to see the bill considered by the House includes strong independent oversight and transparency. Also, the legislation would help homeowners change the terms of their mortgages to forestall the two million projected foreclosures that could further cripple our economy by reducing the principle of the interest rate or lengthen of time to pay back the mortgage. Finally, the bill restricts the compensation of executives. The CEOs whose irresponsibility caused this crisis should not receive taxpayer subsidized golden parachutes.

I believe it was critical for Congress must act to prevent serious economic pain for more Americans. I am hopeful Congress can work in a bipartisan manner to pass a plan that will ensure the American people and Main Street are insulated from the crisis on Wall Street.

Again, I appreciate hearing from you. If I may be of further assistance to you on this or any other matter please do not hesitate to contact me.

Maybe when I have energy I will fisk this piece of garbage.  If you feel inclined you can do so in the comments.  I’ve run out of energy.