More manufactured money after bad

Four months ago here I blasted Congress and President Bush for the stupid bail out plan for the banking institutions. It seemed hasty, ill thought-out and tragically reckless. The fact that much of the money has disappeared into the ether without creating any of the so-called credit it was supposed to bears out my concerns.

Now comes word of a second wave of the same.

At the same time, the very banks and financial institutions who we handed over our childrens' and grandchildrens' money to, are now donating big bucks to the Inaugural Party and events in order to win favor with the same politicians who have already rewarded them beyond their wildest dreams.

The fact that they are donating hundreds of thousands of dollars individually and millions collectively to the Inaugural events simply shows how blatantly arrogant they are to spend "our" money to win more influence for "them."

And yet Congress, both parties, wink at this excessive celebration at a time of great suffering and financial woes in the this country. Nearly 10 percent of the country is unemployed, millions of people are in foreclosure, we are fighting a war on two fronts and so what's the answer:

Let's have a Party!

So when you see these high-rolling bank executives in their formal wear Tuesday night, just remember all that glamor and glitz was purchased with our money.

I have high hopes for President Obama, but I have very, very low expectations for what his supporting cast in Congress will do to support him. I better see some heavy duty tax relief, as promised in the campaign, and I better see it soon.

If Congress wants to get people spending again, how about giving us back more of the money we earn, rather than printing up more and more money to give to a bunch of bankers who have proved over the last decade they not only don't know how to spend money, but even worse they know how to lose it in large quantities.