My most recent email to all my Republican friends in Florida

[jab105]

I grew up in Florida, and from what I can see, all of the people I grew up with are Republicans, which is so so so disheartening...cause these are real, wonderful people, who just know nothing about politics except what their pastor tells them...so, I've been working on my mom for literally years...and friends from high school for a while also...this is what I wrote them - feel free to borrow some if you want - remember, if all of us can "convert" 2 people in a swing state, then Obama will win:


Well, I got sick on Friday, but I still had to do my training, so instead of going outside, I rode my bike on a trainer - inside, for FIVE HOURS!!! It is mindnumbing to be on a bike trainer for five hours, but I managed to rig my laptop to my bike, so I at least got to do something while riding...and riding...and riding...

I decided to try to learn a little bit more about the financial bailout...cause it had been so much news this week, and it could really affect real people (as few things that happen in the esoteric **Washington** do)...yes, this could actually have an effect on YOU or ME or OUR FUTURE CHILDREN!

These are a few very good reads on the financial crisis that I found - and the bailout (i.e. - it is getting pans from democrats and republicans who know anything about whats what - because there is NO accountability at all, costing taxpayers nearly $1 TRILLION!! - and we will be paying primo prices for the bailout)...the last time we got something shoved down our throats like this - so urgent that you cant look it over, you just have to sign it, was the Patriot Act...anyways... (the links are to a liberal website, but the posts are not liberal - the first is from a person who teaches finance, and the second is a review of what people who are in the know - from Republicans to Libertarians, to Democrats think of the plan):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/21/9468/74585 <--this is a "wonky" detailed policy discussion of what is actually happening and the cause...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/21/11359/7555/652/605498 <-- this includes nuts and bolts, as well as opinions by Republicans and Democrats with links to both, and is very easy to read...

If Obama shows some leadership on this, I will be very impressed...I'm really hoping that he does...
this is what he has said so far today:

"As of now, the Bush Administration has only offered a concept with a staggering price tag, not a plan. Even if the U.S. Treasury recovers some or most of its investment over time, this initial outlay of up to $700 billion is sobering. And in return for their support, the American people must be assured that the deal reflects the basic principles of transparency, fairness, and reform.
First, there must be no blank check when American taxpayers are on the hook for this much money.
Second, taxpayers shouldn't be spending a dime to reward CEOs on Wall Street.
Third, taxpayers should be protected and should be able to recoup this investment.
Fourth, this plan has to help homeowners stay in their homes.
Fifth, this is a global crisis, and the United States must insist that other nations join us in helping secure the financial markets.
Sixth, we need to start putting in place the rules of the road I've been calling for for years to prevent this from ever happening again.
And finally, this plan can't just be a plan for Wall Street, it has to be a plan for Main Street "

Also, he has been having conferences with Pelosi/Reid/Clinton/etc. all weekend, to try to figure out the best way to have a bipartisan implimentation of this plan, to get some sort of bailout, without giving Paullson total control with no accountability (not saying that I think that Paullson is a horrible guy, but I dont think that anyone should be given total control over that much money - up to $1 TRILLION - with no oversight)...Pelosi just released a statement that apparently, the Democrats are not going to rubber stamp it (one of the first times the democrats have actually seemed to have the beginning of a backbone in a while)...will see what happens with that this week...

A couple other things...McCain - for 25+ years, has always been and has fought for deregulation (up until last week that is)...
one of the main culprits to this disaster was financial deregulation, which was pushed by Phil Gramm...
A bit more about Phil Gramm (the person who pushed deregulation on the financial markets back in 1999)...he was John McCain's main economic guy (until he made the mistake of saying that the economic crisis was a "mental recession"...and yet still, when asked TODAY, a McCain spokesperson would not say that they would rule out Gramm being Treasury secretary is McCain got elected):
http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2767
Remember again, this is the very person who very well could be the Treasury secretary if McCain is elected...as in, he would have no oversight if the current plan is passed and he was then put in charge...

ANyways, I saw the Sunday morning shows today, and at the time I didn't know much about it...having 5 hours to kill, I decided to try to find out more about it, and it was pretty shocking what I found...**not saying that I know everything about it, I certainly don't, but based on knowing even a little bit more than nothing...it is scary!