U.S. Senate

What a great day for our US Senate and our country!!!!! If it has not been abundantly clear after the last 8 years, it was only confirmed today that there is no such thing as moral hazard. Our national leaders in the Senate have completely and utterly killed the concept most frequently referred to as "risk".....and this disgusted American cant take it anymore. In case you havent heard, first the Senate Democrats voted to allow Lieberman to retain his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. Dont get me wrong, as an Independent, I think all people should be free to speak their minds on issues and vote based on their constituents wishes. However, when you openly campaign for a Republican Presidential candidate as Lieberman did for McCain, calling in to question Obama's patriotism, there must be significant consequences. You cant have your cake and eat it too. After such treacherous acts by Lieberman, he STILL wants to caucus with the Democrats and has a sense of entitlement to the coveted chair of Homeland Security???? Huh? No, Joe. You can't put yourself out there, campaigning on behalf of John McCain AND expect to get to chair the Homeland Security Committee that you so covet. However, because once again as the Senate Democrats have demonstrated, they have no backbones, intestinal fortitude, or as infamously articulated on numerous occassions by our very own Janet Forman, they "..don't have the balls". What a shame!!!! What's that you say? You want another example? Sure. How about the Senate Republicans? The Senate Republicans have delayed a vote whether or not to expel the convicted felon from the great state of Alaska...you know, the state from which all of the intellectually-gifted politicians emanate. Delay a vote??? Huh? Why? Do it. Show some leadership. Expel the convicted felon and expel him now!!!!!!! You see, they want to wait to see if Stevens wins reelection or not. Why? So what!!!! Vote him out now!!!! What has become of our Senate? Another example you say??? Sure. How about the 700 BILLION dollar bailout....sorry, I mean, "recovery plan"!!! With all of those fine educated lawyers running our country, you mean to tell me that we just gave OUR money, taxpayers money, to these financial giants without any stipulations, strings or constraints???? You see, AIG has spent hundreds of thousands of these dollars on retreats, SINCE THE BAILOUT, for executives to get spa treatments in tony locations on the west coast. At least we (taxpayers) got an 80% stake in AIG....but I dont remember getting any spa treatments??? I am sure the waiting list is long...as there are over 350 million taxpayers waiting for their turn. Billions of dollars from this bailout, which were supposed to help jump start the economy, were not made available to consumers or businesses via loans, but have been redirected by these same failing banks to purchase other banks. The banks are spending the bailout money or not, however they damn well feel. Many banks are just holding our tax dollars!!!!! It is unbelievable to me that with all of these ivy league lawyers running our country, not one of them (Democrat or Republican) saw to it that this bailout money was to be used only for specific purposes. Can we get an auto loan and then use that money to start a business??? Or does that check get made out to the dealership where you are going to buy????? My point is, moral hazard, also known as risk, has been killed as a concept. The real message being sent........if you are big enough and important enough, it doesnt matter what you do, take all of the risks that you want......the government will be there to bail you out. The only problem.......just make sure you are big enough......just ask Lehman Brothers. For all of the rhetoric by the Republicans leading up to the presidential election, it has been Bush and his Republican administration that has done more to socialize this country than anything Obama will ever do as president. The problem with Bush's socialization of this country ----- in typical Bush fashion, he only brought us the downsides of Socialism......you know, the incredible debt and bigger government. At least true Socialistic countries have free college education, healthcare and prescription drugs to show for their increased levels of taxation. What do we have to show for ours?