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I don't want to hear it.
Author: Raine
Date: 02/05/2009 13:30:44
You want a little semi-good news this morning? I'm going to try to deliver you some. Yesterday, by coincidence or not, after President Obama said he wanted to limit executive pay, Goldman Sachs said that it would seek to return the TARP money. Personally I think they should be required to pay early payment penalty fees, but that is just me. Last October, we were told that if they did not get the money THEN and NOW, the world would crumble... Now that we have a new president and a new set of people in charge, asking - demanding - accountability, the money isn't so shiny, huh? It makes me wonder who REALLY needed the TARP money and who was trying to steal.
There is some more good news: Bank of America is cutting its Fleet. Now let me ask a question: Shouldn't these institutions have been required to liquidate these items BEFORE we lent them billions and billions of dollars? They acted as it they were down to their last dime back in October -- all while they were wining and dining themselves in the lap of luxury. I keep reminding myself that less than a month ago, thieves were still in charge, no accountability was the norm, and it was like a bunch of pigs at the trough. Granted, the 500K exec salary cap may be largely symbolic but its symbolism that goes a long way to most Americans on Main Street who are lucky if they earn 50 thousand dollars/year. It is time for the banks to not only DO what the TARP money was meant to do, it is time for the banks to either give the money back or start lending to the people it was supposed to help.
When we hear stories that 5 Hundred Thousand jobs were lost in January, (another 650,000 in December) -- I don't want to hear the whining that people just can't make a living off of 500 thousand dollars a year. I don't want to hear that the brokers on Wall Street can't earn a living. I don't want to hear it.
What I want to hear is that America is going back to work building bridges and creating a new electric grid, I want to hear that hospitals are staffed and people are going to get health insurance. I want to hear that banks are actually helping people stay in their homes, and lending people on MAIN Street money to create new small businesses that will hire people locally and in their own communities. I want to hear about new schools built. I want to hear that CEO's aren't getting bonuses because they would rather keep workers on the payroll. I want to hear that people can go back to school to train for the new green world. I want to hear that businesses are coming BACK to America. THESE are the things I want to hear.
Americans - the people on Main Street - have largely done everything that was asked of them. They have been accountable, they have paid their bills... Now it is time for the the Wall Streeters to do the same. If not, let me take one of those exec jobs for 500K... I am more than sure I can manage living off of the money, without a corporate jet... Hell, It's not like I would drive the corporation into the ground, right???
:peace: and
Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) Chief Financial Officer David Viniar said the bank is keen to avoid restrictions it agreed to after receiving funds from the U.S. government late last year and it is looking to pay the money back as soon as possible.
The investment bank, which received a $10 billion capital injection from the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program in October, is not happy with the strings that came attached to the money.
Compensation restrictions and certain capital requirements were part of the original injection, and extra limitations may be in store after U.S. President Barack Obama imposed tough new rules limiting pay for companies receiving government aid.
There is some more good news: Bank of America is cutting its Fleet.
On the same day that President Barack Obama announced a crackdown on Wall Street extravagance, Bank of America announced it is selling some of its corporate aircraft as it seeks to cut costs.
Three of its own corporate jets and Merrill Lynch's helicopter will be put up for sale, even though the market in such aircraft is glutted as big corporations seek to shed the trappings of excess.
Bank of America also saw its share price fall below $5 for the first time since 1990 following a five-day sell-off of its stock. Investors fear that mounting losses at the bank will result in the government nationalizing it, leaving shareholders high and dry.
Since October, Bank of America has received $45bn in government assistance, including a $20bn injection last month to help with its troubled Merrill Lynch acquisition.
When we hear stories that 5 Hundred Thousand jobs were lost in January, (another 650,000 in December) -- I don't want to hear the whining that people just can't make a living off of 500 thousand dollars a year. I don't want to hear that the brokers on Wall Street can't earn a living. I don't want to hear it.
What I want to hear is that America is going back to work building bridges and creating a new electric grid, I want to hear that hospitals are staffed and people are going to get health insurance. I want to hear that banks are actually helping people stay in their homes, and lending people on MAIN Street money to create new small businesses that will hire people locally and in their own communities. I want to hear about new schools built. I want to hear that CEO's aren't getting bonuses because they would rather keep workers on the payroll. I want to hear that people can go back to school to train for the new green world. I want to hear that businesses are coming BACK to America. THESE are the things I want to hear.
Americans - the people on Main Street - have largely done everything that was asked of them. They have been accountable, they have paid their bills... Now it is time for the the Wall Streeters to do the same. If not, let me take one of those exec jobs for 500K... I am more than sure I can manage living off of the money, without a corporate jet... Hell, It's not like I would drive the corporation into the ground, right???
:peace: and
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 13:51:08
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 13:51:08
Morning :hug:
Comment by 
Scoopster on 02/05/2009 14:05:16
Scoopster on 02/05/2009 14:05:16
Morning! 
They should be required to liquidate that shit before they issue a single layoff.
They should be required to liquidate that shit before they issue a single layoff.
Comment by 
TriSec on 02/05/2009 14:09:56
TriSec on 02/05/2009 14:09:56
Goood Morning, comrades!
'twas twenty seven years ago this afternoon that I affixed my name to a document removing the President of Tebeakesse from office...thus becoming the Tribunal Secretary.
We still exist...our internet research shows that only the xenophobic micronation of Talossa seems to predate the micronation of Tebeakesse.
In any case...Happy TNT day to all.
I remain, Your Loyal TriSec XX
'twas twenty seven years ago this afternoon that I affixed my name to a document removing the President of Tebeakesse from office...thus becoming the Tribunal Secretary.
We still exist...our internet research shows that only the xenophobic micronation of Talossa seems to predate the micronation of Tebeakesse.
In any case...Happy TNT day to all.
I remain, Your Loyal TriSec XX
Comment by 
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:10:23
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:10:23
Donald Trump HATES America and he's a Socialist:
Maybe even a communist, actually. Why does Donald Trump hate America?
Trump spoke with CNN's Larry King about whether there should be executive pay limits, if there should be a stimulus plan and when there could be an end to the economic downturn. The following is an edited portion of the interview.
Larry King: Is Obama right or wrong to go after these executives with salary caps?
Donald Trump: Well, I think he's absolutely right. Billions of dollars is being given to banks and others. You know, once you start using taxpayer money, it's a whole new game. So I absolutely think he's right.
King: What about the whole concept of bailouts?
Trump: Well, it's a little bit different. A lot of people are not in favor of bailouts. You know, we talked about all the different things going on in this country. Let's face it, Larry, we are in a depression.
If they didn't do the bailout, you would be in depression No. 2 and maybe just as big as depression No. 1, so they really had to do something. The problem is they're giving millions and billions of dollars to banks and the banks aren't loaning it.
If you are a prime customer of a bank and if you need 10 cents, you can't get it. The banks are out of business. They're not loaning. Now, billions of dollars has been given. They're supposed to be loaning out that money and they're using it for other purposes, so it is a real mess.
King: If you were in the Senate, would you vote for the stimulus plan?
Trump: Well, I'd vote for a stimulus plan. I'm not sure that all of the things in there are appropriate. Some of the little toys that they have are not really appropriate, and they're a little surprising that they seem to want it, because the publicity on it has been terrible.
I would certainly vote for a stimulus, but I would really vote for banks having to loan out the money because they're not doing that.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:11:25
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:11:25
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:11:35
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:11:35
:rofl: that is AWESOME~!!!!
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:22:29
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:22:29
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:27:24
Very nice :D
Love the tag at the end :D
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:27:24
Quote by Raine:
LOOK at the Author of this Op-Ed in WaPo today!
:thud:HOW amazing is that?
Very nice :D
Love the tag at the end :D
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:30:09
Gave me chills.
He frigging RIPPED apart every GOP Talking point as well.
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:30:09
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
LOOK at the Author of this Op-Ed in WaPo today!
:thud:
Very nice :D
Love the tag at the end :D
He frigging RIPPED apart every GOP Talking point as well.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:32:15
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:32:15
Yep - and laid it all out there in plain english that everyone can understand in the manner an adult would.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:35:10
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:35:10
Wow... This one is from the National Review?
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:35:48
and Therein Lies the problem.
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:35:48
Quote by wickedpam:
Yep - and laid it all out there in plain english that everyone can understand in the manner an adult would.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:36:42
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:36:42
oh Steph good one "how is that your business" :clap:
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:36:47
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:36:47
SO FU*KING WHAT???
Why do we need to dsay that Sanchez has a relationship at all? It's HER EFFING CHOICE!!!!!!!!
Why do we need to dsay that Sanchez has a relationship at all? It's HER EFFING CHOICE!!!!!!!!
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:37:17
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:37:17
ah - Mona is pissing me off! :modbat:
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:37:22
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:37:22
"not to pick on her" -- but she did!
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:37:58
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:37:58
Mona is a biatch.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:38:43
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:38:43
People like mona should not breed.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:38:53
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:38:53
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:40:02
but you know she did and will.
holier then thou fucking cow!
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:40:02
Quote by Raine:
People like mona should not breed.
but you know she did and will.
holier then thou fucking cow!
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:41:38
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:41:38
But Bristol is ok??? 
REALLY? REALLY?
REALLY? REALLY?
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:42:00
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:42:00
Hello! Then ban DIVORCE!
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:42:10
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:42:10
Sarah is a GREAT effing Role Model.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:43:08
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:43:08
cuse my language but really this woman so pissed me off
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:49:49
(I kinda think it is funny when you curse)
I won't repeat the words that Bobber heard come out of my mouth...
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:49:49
Quote by wickedpam:
cuse my language but really this woman so pissed me off
(I kinda think it is funny when you curse)
I won't repeat the words that Bobber heard come out of my mouth...
Comment by 
BobR on 02/05/2009 14:51:40
Have any of those Moral Authority hypocrits criticized Jamie Spears or that other little pop tart for getting pregnant as unmarried teenagers? Did they say anything about them setting a bad example for other girls their age?
Just wondering.
BobR on 02/05/2009 14:51:40
Quote by Raine:
But Bristol is ok???
REALLY? REALLY?
Have any of those Moral Authority hypocrits criticized Jamie Spears or that other little pop tart for getting pregnant as unmarried teenagers? Did they say anything about them setting a bad example for other girls their age?
Just wondering.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:53:00
:redface: you should hear me when I'm not at work and by myself - all I'm sayin' is spent my teen years around cable installers and techs ;)
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 14:53:00
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
cuse my language but really this woman so pissed me off
(I kinda think it is funny when you curse)
I won't repeat the words that Bobber heard come out of my mouth...
:redface: you should hear me when I'm not at work and by myself - all I'm sayin' is spent my teen years around cable installers and techs ;)
Comment by Scoopster on 02/05/2009 14:55:23
Scoopster on 02/05/2009 14:55:23
Hey remember that really tragic thing about the Santa-suited guy who killed a bunch of people?
Well get this - The landlord of one of the dead victims wants her ex-husband to pay her late rent.
Well get this - The landlord of one of the dead victims wants her ex-husband to pay her late rent.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 14:59:55
Raine on 02/05/2009 14:59:55
Let me get this straight...
Linda Sanchez: Bad Role Model.
David Vitter: Private Family matter?
Linda Sanchez: Bad Role Model.
David Vitter: Private Family matter?
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 15:00:35
guess she didn't have the foresight to see that she and her son were going be murdered and give adequate notice
what the hell is wrong with people?
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 15:00:35
Quote by Scoopster:
Hey remember that really tragic thing about the Santa-suited guy who killed a bunch of people?
Well get this - The landlord of one of the dead victims wants her ex-husband to pay her late rent.
guess she didn't have the foresight to see that she and her son were going be murdered and give adequate notice
what the hell is wrong with people?
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 15:00:51
That is disgusting.
Raine on 02/05/2009 15:00:51
Quote by Scoopster:
Hey remember that really tragic thing about the Santa-suited guy who killed a bunch of people?
Well get this - The landlord of one of the dead victims wants her ex-husband to pay her late rent.
That is disgusting.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 15:33:58
Raine on 02/05/2009 15:33:58
About the Haggard thing... the link is VERY VERY graphic.
* After going on and on in detail about same-sex action, Haggard would then back off and tell Haas that he needed to find a good woman to marry. And listen to this: Haggard offered up his daughter as a dating/marriage prospect for Haas! Knowingly offering to guide his own daughter into a relationship with a closeted man!
Comment by 
livingonli on 02/05/2009 15:44:29
livingonli on 02/05/2009 15:44:29
Good morning folks. 
I have to remind my landlady I need more heat up here on days like this.
Where's the teeth-chattering emoticon?
I have to remind my landlady I need more heat up here on days like this.
Where's the teeth-chattering emoticon?
Comment by livingonli on 02/05/2009 15:48:15
Sounds like I missed a hoot and have to check it out when the podcast is up.
livingonli on 02/05/2009 15:48:15
Quote by Raine:
But Bristol is ok???
REALLY? REALLY?
Sounds like I missed a hoot and have to check it out when the podcast is up.
Comment by livingonli on 02/05/2009 15:50:09
It's OK if you're a Republican. It is starting to sound like the old sexist double standards of what women shouldn't do but it was OK for men to do.
livingonli on 02/05/2009 15:50:09
Quote by Raine:
Let me get this straight...
Linda Sanchez: Bad Role Model.
David Vitter: Private Family matter?
It's OK if you're a Republican. It is starting to sound like the old sexist double standards of what women shouldn't do but it was OK for men to do.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 15:52:33
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 15:52:33
is it me or is Steph yelly this morning?
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 15:54:56
A l'il bit.
Raine on 02/05/2009 15:54:56
Quote by wickedpam:
is it me or is Steph yelly this morning?
A l'il bit.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 15:55:31
Raine on 02/05/2009 15:55:31
Gramps isn't even going to be in the country to vote on the damn bill.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 15:56:55
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 15:56:55
um - what about those of us who already own a home?
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 15:58:25
Raine on 02/05/2009 15:58:25
Oh that was a lil harsh....
Comment by 
starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:04:32
starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:04:32
Michael Phelps has jumped the couch. Does anyone really give a sh*t if he smoked weed?!? I could tell he was a Frat Boy Pot head from a mile away. Sure, he's a great swimmer. Who cares? Seriously.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/05/2009 16:06:45
wickedpam on 02/05/2009 16:06:45
Quote by starling310:
Michael Phelps has jumped the couch. Does anyone really give a sh*t if he smoked weed?!? I could tell he was a Frat Boy Pot head from a mile away. Sure, he's a great swimmer. Who cares? Seriously.
Comment by starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:10:06
starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:10:06
AVON, CT?!?!? That's right near my office! 
Comment by starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:11:59
starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:11:59
BBOX Rocks! 
Comment by starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:12:54
starling310 on 02/05/2009 16:12:54
I believe said BBOX Rocks first. In fact, I believe I dubbed her "BBOX."
Just saying. . . .
:shrug:
said BBOX Rocks first. In fact, I believe I dubbed her "BBOX." Just saying. . . .
:shrug:
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 16:13:39
You did indeed!!!
Raine on 02/05/2009 16:13:39
Quote by starling310:
I believe
Just saying. . . .
:shrug:
You did indeed!!!
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 16:19:56
Mona!
Raine on 02/05/2009 16:19:56
Mona!
Comment by Scoopster on 02/05/2009 16:20:00
I CARE!
He didn't give me a friggin bong hit, damnit.
Scoopster on 02/05/2009 16:20:00
Quote by starling310:
Michael Phelps has jumped the couch. Does anyone really give a sh*t if he smoked weed?!? I could tell he was a Frat Boy Pot head from a mile away. Sure, he's a great swimmer. Who cares? Seriously.
I CARE!
He didn't give me a friggin bong hit, damnit.