More Bailout Opinion and Other Insights

I trust everyone had a good weekend and is ready to get back to business...and speaking of back to business, I guess the Auto Industry Bailout is back to business as well. But what kind of business?

I see that the workers at Republic Windows and Doors are having a sit-in to protest the treatment that they received in being laid off. The report is that the Company had to close it's doors because Bank of America, their credit line for operational costs, did not extend any credit to the company; even though BOA received $25 Billion of our money from a massive bailout and was supposed to use that money to help extend credit and stimulate growth. So what did Bank of America do with their money? I do not know and would probably be sickened if I did know.

And it seems like the Republic Windows and Blinds didn't give legal warning to the employees nor did they pay all of the money that was due to their workers. But remember that this is from the perspective of the workers. I don't know anything about the company or it's workers and I don't care to speculate. It would most likely lead to a lot of 'he said,she said' stuff. But it should be noted that the workers are having a peaceful and dignified sit-in. They are not burning buildings or overturning cars. there have been no rocks thrown through windows or anything of that ilk. That is refreshing in this day and age and it is nice to see civilized demonstration.

And it should be noted that Republic Windows and Doors claims to have been on the business end, so to speak, of Bank of America and a massive bailout. And again, all I know is what is reported on the news. To research this event requires more time and resources than is available to me. But it does make me wonder what has and will happen to the bailout money and the large checkbook our government handed over to Hank Paulson. We all know that the bailout was the old bait and switch, promise one thing then actually do something other than what was promised. And maybe our government set the tone and the financial sector, or what part of the financial sector that received money, is just following suit. Maybe businesses are adopting the "good for the goose, good for the gander" philosophy. Whatever the reasons and reactions, it leaves a bad taste in this blogger's mouth. And it is further proof that bailouts cannot work. They only delay the inevitable. It's just another ideal that will be swallowed by bureaucracy and will help grease the wheels on the machine of corruption. Unless you make toy wooden arrows.

And so the government pushes forward with a plan to continue this economic and ethically depleted behaviour, with no regard for public outcries or consideration of the citizen's concerns. The government continues to know better how to do for us than we know how to do for ourselves. At least their track record is so good that we can trust them to care for us poor, ignorant, and smelly constituents.

I realize that I write a lot about this bailout and some may bet tired of it. I will try to find other topics, i promise. But we really do need to see the writing on the wall and realize that we are treading on a very slippery slope. Someone eventually will have to be accountable. And we really need to get back to philosophies and ethics, versus numbers and algorithms.

phew!

Other news and thoughts:

How about the Prop. 8 commercial with all of the starts and Jack Black portraying Jesus? It is pretty milquetoast. It is interesting that many of the people in Hollywood, and the media scream separation of church and state and claim to grow sick of Christians cramming Jesus down their throats, yet they don't shy away from trying to exploit Jesus when it suits their purpose. And before you point a finger at the actors in the commercial , examine yourself to see if you are guilty of the same thing. I have seen this tactic used in "church" more than I have seen it used in the Main Stream. And at least Jesus got some press! Even if Jack Black doesn't understand the law or grace. He's not much different than many people who merely filled a pew yesterday....and maybe cable t.v. will see that Jesus is good for ratings...

How about the reports that New York Hotels are just as vulnerable to terrorism as those hotels in Mubai, India? All i can say is, "Brilliant!" We showed the terrorists the correct way to bring down the Twin Towers after they failed at an attempt to blow them up with a van load of explosives in the garage, now we are helping to show them how to terrorize our hotels. Of course I don't assume that the terrorists are totally ignorant and need our help in devising means of destruction, but I do find it ridiculous to spread fear among some people and loose information to others, just to fill a couple of columns in a newspaper. It seems like we would be better served covering something with a little more purpose. But what do I know? I am against another bailout...

At least the economic departments of the government give us timely and helpful news. I read an article over the weekend that said ,"It is official. The U.S. has been in a recession since last December." ...Insert obvious comment of your choice here...

And i will end on that note. The natives are restless here and need my attention. Have a great Monday and read my article last Monday on being a slave to the grind if you need some sophomoric advice on how to start a revolution the workplace.