A Done Deal!

It's official. The "rescue (pork barrel) package" has passed in the House, by about a 100-vote margin. Too bad. I was hoping that lawmakers would resist the urge to stampede. Apparently, the lure of pork was too seductive, as the dollar figure being discussed has now swelled to the $800 billion level.

I know, I know; we were facing a complete freeze-up of the financial markets. Nevertheless, while this rescue was being debated and voted down, it would have been nice to have taken a peek at the Republican plan. It might have provided some helpful alternatives. Moreover, given more time, how many "vulture" funds would have swooped in to clean up some of this mess, thereby lightening the load we taxpayers would have to carry?

We'll be paying this "thing" off for a long time...