Reply #39: I am all for cutting out the bonuses and other shenanigans

[Still Sensible]

and they wouldn't fall at once, just in rapid succession. What is important in any additional bank bailout IMO is...

first, it's a loan not a grant
second, assets or equity so the taxpayers have a chance to get the money back
third, the priority has to be reworking mortgages to keep people in their homes
fourth, no bonuses or stock options that are not tied to a progress/payback schedule
fifth, strict limitations against banks jacking up interest rates or inventing new 'fees'

But, make no mistake, if the problem wasn't real, we wouldn't be in this position.