Reich: Lemon Socialism

Former Clinton Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich has some harsh words for bailout mania:

The federal government — that is, you and I and every other taxpayer — has taken ownership of giant home mortgagors Fannie and Freddie, which are by now basket cases. We’ve also put hundreds of millions into Wall Street banks, which are still flowing red ink and seem everyday to be in worse shape. We’ve bailed out the giant insurer AIG, which is failing. We’ve given GM and Chrysler the first installments of what are likely to turn into big bailouts. It’s hard to find anyone who will place a big bet on the future of these two.

It gets worse. While Washington debates TARP II, the Federal Reserve Board continues to buy or guarantee or provide loans for a vast and growing pile of questionable financial and corporate assets, much of which are likely to be worth far less than the Fed has paid or guaranteed or accepted as collateral. We’re talking big money here — so far over $2.4 trillion. (The entire TARP — parts I and II — in combination with the proposed stimulus package come to just over $1.5 trillion.)

Taxpayers are on the hook for this Fed bailout money, too, of course. We have to pay the interest on the ever-growing debt used to make these payments or guarantees and loans. Yet while TARP II and the upcoming stimulus package are receiving a great deal of attention, this much larger public commitment by the Fed is not. That’s partly because the media doesn’t much of understand it, but also because the Fed is doing it in secret, using provisions of its charter never before utilized, and avoiding discussion before the full Board of Governors for fear such meetings would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Put it all together and at this rate, the government — that is, taxpayers — will own much of the housing, auto, and financial sectors of the economy, those sectors that are failing fastest.

And he summarizes it thus:

It’s called Lemon Socialism. Taxpayers support the lemons. Capitalism is reserved for the winners.

Remember, this is noted liberal-lefty economist, professor, and former Clintonite Robert Reich saying this. If he can figure it out, why can’t Obama’s team?

Hail to Who???

I have to tell ya, and maybe it is just because I am a Marine, and I understand how much so many have given to our country unselfishly without asking for anything in return. But this really chaps my ass!

Barack Obama may have stumbled over his words briefly during his inauguration, but he made an even bigger blunder later Tuesday evening. The newly sworn-in President opted not to appear at what should have been one of the most important Balls on his agenda that evening – The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball.

Well. Hopefully the average voter’s attention span is more than that of a doorknob next time.