Telephone Congress, in the immediate and carnally referential present

[jpgray]

(Add your own !!!1s)

Seriously though, if you care about this rushed financial bail-out, call your congressperson. E-mail is too readily ignored, and snail-mail may be a bit slow (though it would be a good idea to send some anyway.) The phone, however, has an immediate impact on some member of staff. When many people call in with similar yet independent views of the same issue, it can have a far greater impact. If you can take 10-15 minutes out of your day, call your senators and your representative. If you are informed and reasonable it will be worth your time, even for Republicans or extreme pro-business Democrats. For best effect keep your language direct, polite and to the point, and perhaps even write down in advance what you'd like to say. If you don't care about the impact and don't feel like being polite, call in anyway. :P

For some opinion on Paulson's bailout:

Krugman
Greidner