First: Overreaction - Then, Regret. Every Time. Without Fail.

[20score]

When The Patriot Act was pushed through in October of 2001, most people who had even a basic understanding of history knew this act would go too far and be regretted very soon afterward. This is also true with the Iraq War Resolution of October 2002 and now the Bailout of October 2008.

Though there is a sizable portion of society that is eventually surprised by the fact that the first reaction by the government doesn’t work out as advertised - and there is also a large segment of the population, the cultists and the hebetudes, that never catch on. The people who push these types of laws know exactly what they’re doing and count on shock and the propensity of people to overreact in a crisis in order to forward their agenda. Hence the urgency of Bush every time there is a terrible idea to be pushed.

The latest emergency, the banking crisis, was used to push a bailout bill that will be looked back at within a year as mistake and an overreaction. And yes, I do believe, like most, something needs to be done, even if that something is only the re-instituting of the rules from the New Deal era that stopped abuses from happening for decades. What I was arguing for was more time to debate to decide the right course of action. To take into consideration economists like Paul Krugman and choose what would help the most people without rewarding the crooks. But, the power brokers and the media sidelined the people in congress who argued that position, immediately.

So the people who understand human nature and history are left wanting to shake the hell out of the those who don’t see what’s coming, and the cowards too afraid to speak up for what’s right. Then, as soon as things go south, the people responsible for the mess created will call for people to look forward, not back; and anyone who points out crimes and misdeeds will be accused of not helping the situation. Sarah Palin did just that in the first vice presidential debate on Thursday when speaking to Joe Biden.

But, without looking back, the cycle will be repeated and repeated. Until someone is held accountable for illegal wars, constitution shredding, torture and mega-theft, we are guaranteed to see them again.

And I for one and damned sick of it!

[Hydra]

1. Well, I feel heartened by one thing today

The number of people who got bamboozled was ridiculously low- even a bunch of the die hard reds couldn't swallow this.

No riots yet, but the strategy isn't working as well as it should. They had to ignore what one congresswoman called "100-1 against the bill" calls to her office.

That's progress. Now we just need a little courage to go with it.

[femrap]

3. I couldn't even get thru

to Congress this morning. I doubt people were calling to say to pass this bill.

WASF.

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. 'progress' gets us no where every damn time! And courage is in short supply apparently.

x(

[20score]

27. Been that way for too long now. With the notable exceptions like

Kucinich, Feingold and a few others. There are those few who are heros of our age.

[Sydnie]

2. k&R n/t

[elocs]

4. This bill is done. Done. It is now law. It will not be unpassed or unsigned.

Our best hope is to elect Obama because he has promised to watch over the taxpayers' interests and to make sure we get repaid. He has promised to revisit the law if it is not working. At this point there is no other choice no matter how much people want to bitch and complain about it. because do any of trust McCain with this?

[Hydra]

6. There won't be anything left come January

So whether Obama will fix this is Moot.

The reason we are all bitching, and why this is productive, is that the Credit Markets are ALREADY asking for more bailout money.

They'll get it, but they CERTAINLY don't deserve it.

[elocs]

10. And you know this, you absolutely know this beyond a shadow of a doubt?

Because Barack Obama does not agree with you. In life, some people get what they deserve and some don't. You do what you can do and don't waste your energy bitching about something that is already done and cannot be changed now at this time. To call it moot that Obama can fix this is to declare that he is either ignorant, naive, or lying to us. I trust Obama.

[Hydra]

13. Did you even read what I said?

The money will be spent by January 1st. Gone. Finito. In fact, I bet even more will be authorized as "an emergency measure" between now and then and it will all be gone by January 21st.

Barack Obama gets a pass on this from me for one reason- he's going to have to deal with ALL of the fallout from this. He's going to have to try to save us with no treasury and no hope of borrowing the money we need to dig ourselves out of this mess.

As John Boehner said today, "May God be with us, because we're going to need him."

[elocs]

14. I read what you said and you do not know this. Obama himself has said this is not so.

Since this bill is already law, what is the point in continually bitching about what you cannot change? I'm sorry I won't be able to see any more of your posts. Life is too short for pissing and moaning. Goodbye.

[Hydra]

16. Facinating

I wonder how many others who thought this was a good idea will try to pass this off the same way over the next few days.

[bhikkhu]

22. ...or wake up in a few years wondering what happened

and never connect the dots. The bill is a massive theft, its results are predictable, and even a new "economic recover" could never overcome the weight of worthlessness that is now firmly built into the $.

So, I am a US citizen, and I don't expect to ever retire, or to ever have healthcare, or to ever have a standard of living better than I did in 1997. There is much in life to enjoy, but the idiocy and greed of our leaders (in politics and business) will infallibly drag us down to the low expectations of petty third world company-run states.

[20score]

36. Right on.

[dhpgetsit]

8. It's OK...

We still have time to elect people who talk the talk, and we will make sure they walk the walk.

[sad sally]

15. The only undoing of this bill is if the Chimp added one of his

infamous secret Signing Statements to it.

[elocs]

17. This is what I heard Barack Obama say about this when he was in La Crosse on Wednesday:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gGxjYr

From the moment I take office, my top priority will be to do everything I can to make sure that your tax dollars are protected. I will demand a full review of this financial rescue plan to make sure that it is working for you. If you – the American taxpayer – are not getting your money back, then we will change how this program is being managed. If need be, we will send new legislation to Congress to make sure that taxpayers are protected in line with the principles that I have put forward. You should expect nothing less from Washington.

I trust Obama when he says this because he is either ignorant or a deliberate liar otherwise. I believe Obama.

[bvar22]

20. I'll fix it later.

The check is in the mail.

It'll never happen again.

It won't cost you a dime.

I'll quit tomorrow.

I'll vote against Telecom Immunity.....

[elocs]

21. In other words, "Obama is lying". I'm glad we cleared up how you feel about him.

The bailout bill is now law and it will not be unpassed or unsigned at this time. It's time to stop the whining and bitching and get on with the job at hand. This is the DemocraticUnderground and here we support Democrats and vote for them. Simple concept. Let's get on with electing Obama because that is something that we can do something about.

[PVnRT]

28. I'll guess you'll just have to vote Green, eh?

Cynthia McKinney is as pure as the driven snow.

[scarletwoman]

29. Don't worry honey, I'll pull out in time...

[Hannah Bell]

24. just follow the leader & shut up - that's the ticket!

[20score]

35. The Obama/McCain dynamic really had nothing to do with the post.

I don't think there's anyone on this site that wants McCain

[aquart]

5. Do I lack the overreaction gene?

[Hydra]

7. If you do, you're in good company.

It was amazing how many people resisted the urge to panic and raised their middle fingers instead.

[Individualist]

9. Only a matter of time until we hear "If I knew then what I know now.."

:puke:

[20score]

11. Exactly.

[readmoreoften]

18. I don't except it this time. If they don't know now, they're not paying attention.

No more excuses.

[Individualist]

19. I didn't accept that lame excuse the first time I heard it

[dailykoff]

12. B-b-but Barney told me the sky was falling!

And he's SOOOO lovable and cute!

[Forkboy]

25. The Patriot Act was my very first thought when this broke.

The same environment of fear was fostered to pass this. I can understand the psychological urge, but still can't believe how many didn't recognize this. And a few were just downright crazy with fear on DU. It was scary to see. We've learned very little in the last eight years.

[20score]

26. How true. I was a little surprised by the reaction of some here.

[20score]

30. Re-post. Too many typos, etc. for my liking.

First: Overreaction - Then Regret. Every Time. Without Fail

When The Patriot Act was pushed through in October of 2001, most people who had even a basic understanding of history knew this act would go too far and be regretted very soon afterward. This is also true with the Iraq War Resolution of October 2002 and now the Bailout of October 2008.

Though there is a sizable portion of society that is eventually surprised by the fact that the first reaction by the government doesn’t work out as advertised - and there is also a large segment of the population, the cultists and the hebetudes, that never catch on. But the people who push these types of laws know exactly what they’re doing and count on shock and the propensity of people to overreact in a crisis in order to forward their agenda. Hence the urgency in Bush's reaction every time there is a terrible idea to be pushed.

In the latest emergency, the banking crisis was used to push a bailout bill that will be looked back at within a year as a mistake and an overreaction. And yes, I do believe, like most, something needs to be done, even if that something is only the re-institution of the rules from the New Deal era that stopped abuses from happening for decades. What people were arguing for was more time to debate to decide the right course of action. To take into consideration the input of economists like Paul Krugman and choose what would help the most people without rewarding the crooks. But, the power brokers and the media sidelined the people in congress who argued that position.

So the people who understand human nature and history are left wanting to shake the hell out of the those who don’t see what’s coming, and the cowards too afraid to speak up for what’s right. Then, as soon as things go south, the people responsible for the mess created will call for people to look forward, not back; and anyone who points out crimes and misdeeds will be accused of not helping the situation. Sarah Palin did just that in the first vice presidential debate on Thursday while speaking to Joe Biden.

But, without looking back, the cycle will be repeated again and again. And until someone is held accountable for illegal wars, constitution shredding, torture and mega-theft, we are guaranteed to see them again.

And I for one am damned sick of it!

[EFerrari]

31. It's like living with a practicing alcoholic.

:(

[20score]

32. That's good!

[EFerrari]

33. It's true. The over reactions, the misbehavior, the regret, the promises

over and over and over. :shrug:

[punkin87]

34. k&r