In case you’re interested and want to see the official yes/no list for the “bailout” bill.  Here’s a link to the list:

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll674.xml

The header of the bill:

      H R 3997      RECORDED VOTE      29-Sep-2008      2:07 PM
      QUESTION:  On Concurring in Senate Amendment With An Amendment
      BILL TITLE: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers, and for other purposes

I don’t know why, but I found the Bill Title a little “vague.”  I believe the real title is, “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.”

PDF version of the bill:  http://www.rules.house.gov/110/text/110_hr3997_amnd_samnd.pdf

Contact your official House representative:  http://www.house.gov/writerep/

And for future contact, here’s the Senate list:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Whether you are happy or not about the recent happenings, contact your representatives and let them know how you feel.  It’s important for our future.  House.gov seems to be down at the moment…smart move by the house don’t you think?

Are you serious??!??  They should be in there setting up camp!

And to blame Pelosi for changing your vote?  That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard.  Obviously, blaming someone for changing your vote is obviously not voting on the bill rather it’s playing politics, doesn’t it?

Our political leaders need/needed to pass this plan, even though a majority of Americans don’t like it.  Get ready for a bumpy rollercoaster ride.  Even without the pay limitations I wanted, it still needed to be approved.

I’m sorry, but if my tax payer money is going to help these companies get out of a financial crisis, I will not agree to letting them use my money to line their own pockets.  I don’t care if they were promised this money.

I don’t agree with CEOsand other executives that have already profited from these awful times.  If the executives are unwilling to sacrifice a little of their own gains for being involved in this debacle, then I am not as well.  I’m sorry.  I just don’t agree with the principle.  I don’t want government to dictate rules to private business, but with the bailout happening, it’s not too much to ask executives to forgo millions in bonus pay for making bad decisions whether directly or indirectly.  Obviously, if these businesses are getting assistance from the government, then obviously they helped create the situation.

I am willing to assume the risks and consequences without a bailout.

That statement is just wrong, and I’m glad Russert apologized.  I had a good laugh actually.  Do I agree with him?  Well…

However!  I do believe stupid people voted for Bush people who voted for Bush made a stupid choice and that is the statement I wish Russert made.  Don’t you agree?  If I voted for Bush, I’d definitely feel stupid.  Now if I voted for Bush twice…

Right in my local neighborhood, I see signs of trouble.  Tourism numbers are down, people are losing their jobs (example 1:  museum closes, example 2:  Aloha Airlines shutdown), various state projects suspended, and local, long time establishments closing (example 1:  Compadres, example 2:  TGIF, example 3:  Columbia Inn, example 4:  KC Drive Inn).

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It’s kind of like when you have a near-death experience, and you realize, “Wow, I am mortal, and I can die.”  Isn’t it?  ”It” being the current situation of our financial system.  I’m not a financial expert, and I’m going to be honest, I don’t understand the full complexity of the situation.   At the same time, I don’t think anyone really does.  It feels like everyone is throwing darts and just hoping one sticks.

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The US Government will be issuing a $4.7 trillion bailout of all average joe investors who have invested in stocks that have lost value in the last year.

Thank you government!

It’s a pretty scary world out there financially, and until yesterday, I was really pretty scared to look at the numbers and figure out how my networth withstood all the gyrations of the stock market.  Worse, just last month, I did decide to increase my stock investments by about 10% of my portfolio.

So yesterday, I decided to face the innevitable and take a look at how my financials handled the rollercoaster ride up to now.

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Okay a little late, but still funny. Enjoy!