by Don Rasmussen on 10/05/08


Many of you have inquired how it is that the Senate was able to take up a vote on the bailout bill after it went down in the House given that bills are supposed to originate in the House. Simple answer, the Senate did not vote on the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act." Instead, they voted on the "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act" which just happened to contain the full text of the bailout.

I must admit that this may be a better name for the bailout. I haven't stopped drinking since it was passed and my emotional state reflects that. So mental health and addiction equity seems to have been achieved, at least in my case.

David Warren is out with a good piece that addresses this issue along with the broader implications for democratic governance when politicians seek adherence to the letter of the law without regard for its spirit. It is aptly titled "Ignoring the People"

The bailout is not going to solve anything.
This economy is going to continue to spiral downward.
They just slowed down the crash.

Slowed the crash isn't the description I'd give it. They extended the exposure to the virus and instead of providing the medecine needed, they gave us a placebo.