BAILOUT: Yes or No?

[Ice]

Sorry if I missed anyone, but this post by Ironside was the most correct out of everything I've read so far:

As for the bailout, a reluctant yes, if done properly it would keep the economy up, mostly repay itself back and give the investors a nasty burn aswell

It's nice to see the usual partisan rhetoric going on in this thread and Congress. Instead of solving this in the least painful way and listen to the two men who actually know they are talking about, I have about -5% faith in Congress, what does Congress do? Bicker and Bicker and Bicker about stupid stuff that could wait. I'm going to have to agree with Tribesman that most, if not all politicians, are a waste of air.

While I can see the angle many of the absolute free marketers are getting out, theory and reality are two different things. Guys, this is bad. REAL BAD. If the FED hadn't take the appropriate steps already, this would have been a hell of a lot worse (think depression). I'm not going to put this country, 99% of which isn't responsible for this problem, to hell for a few years just to say I stood my ground.

Another issue is the bailout money. 700 billion is an estimation of the total bad debt that needs to be purchased from companies. This isn't set in stone, nor is will we simply add this debt to the national debt. Most of this debt, quite possibly could be recovered, so we are most likely looking at a much smaller number.

Sorry if this is a little vague, but I have had a really long day and decided to respond here as I consider this the most important thread quite possibly on this forum.

Likewise, apologies again if I sound arrogant, but I have a class entitled "Money and Banking" which deals with this three times a week for atleast an hour, not counting out of class work and discussion. This is also my professors field of specialty and he personally knows/communicates a few of the actual FED board members.

Edit: I forgot to add my opinion on investors. This "bailout" will still give investors a nasty burn. Most will only be able to recover a small amount of their portfolio. There are no free rides.