$700 billion and a side of pork
 

Senate passed the bail out bill...with what they called "sweeteners". I'd call it sweet 'n sour pork.

I like this one:

"A measure that would require health insurers to treat mental health issues the same way they treat physical illnesses."

WHAT IN THE FUCK does that have to do with a mortgage industry bailout?

Want to really make a difference in this election? Vote for anyone but incumbents.

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

Um, didn't you know the bailout is about healthcare reform?

Totally.

Just ask Sarah Palin:
"Ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up the economy– Oh, it’s got to be about job creation too. So health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions."
[unedited, unaltered response taken from Palin interview]

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

It's called lubrication. You scratch my back, I scratch your back. They were probably a few short of a convincing number, and wanted to make sure that they passed it. There might also be some members of the house that voted against last time that are big supporters of this sort of thing. It's a lure to get their votes, lube to make that uncomfortable bailout fit in their ass.

It isn't an incumbant or newbie thing, it is the way all horse trading is done.

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

I heard that little three-page bill from the other week is now the size of a phone book. And it hasn't even gotten through the House yet. Oy!

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

Doesn't anyone do what is right anymore? Just wait until the new administration takes over. There will prolly be a bunch of very unpalatable, but necessary steps taken. Hopefully they will prove right and by the third year, recovery will be in sight. Right now this is just a pig fuck of a nuclear magnitude.

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

Rhet, one of the things that hurts the process in Washington is very little is done direct and above board. Instead of passing bills that are specifically created to budget money for projects, they end up with these monster tack on things to the budget bill called 'earmarks' which is basically the amount of bribing the senator / house member requires to approve the spending bill.

It is like a bunch of porn guys standing around an open bar handing out drinks.

It sucks.

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

My favorite bit of pork in this so far is the tax break for the company that makes wooden arrow... wtf?

The rider for mental health will make premiums go higher. Premiums go higher, more people scream for government assistance with their healthcare. It's an agenda at this point.

The conversion to socialism begins...

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

Well capitalism is failing, so democratic socialism is an attractive alternative. It might save your ass. You just need to elect people that know what it is and how it works.

Re: $700 billion and a side of pork
 

They really should make public the names of the people putting this stuff on.