I'm a small business owner, and I could sure use a helping hand...

[ixion]

the last two years have been very rough on my business (software and multi-media), and I could sure use a modest bailout. $50k would be ideal, but $20k would sure make things better. I'm certainly not "too big to fail", but small businesses are also the "backbone of the economy" so it would make sense to keep us afloat as well.

But you don't hear any talk of bailouts for small businesses, and you hear only lip service of consumer bailouts.

Why? Because our tax-dollars don't belong to us. They belong to the top 1%, who is by and large the recipient of these trillions of dollars we've handed over in the past few months.

But do you think for a moment that the government is actually going to do something that benefits the public at large?

Don't hold your breath. Any "assistance" the government puts forth to help the average citizen will be fronted with a bureaucratic labyrinth, and will ultimately come with chains attached, as is their typical operating fashion when dealing with the little people. Contrast this to the no-strings-attached money for corrupt companies like AIG, who have been partying non-stop since their 'bailout'.

[snappyturtle]

1. The election is over but our work isn't done. I have some ideas but

they may not be any good however, I am going to start, once again, to write and call my rep and senators to voice my opinion on the subject of the bailout.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. I think there is a book out

Actually its a sad joke, maybe you can get some help from the small business administration.
I'm rather ignorant on how to help

[ixion]

3. thanks... for the most part, I was just being rhetorical

I don't think I'd actually want to hitch my wagon to Paulsen's money train, although I know there are small businesses out there that could use some help.

I guess the point of my mini-rant was just that most of the people paying for these bailouts will receive nothing -- or less -- in return.

[Donnachaidh]

4. there are thousands of people freshly out of work

And they find it really selfish of all these people who are actually employed whining about how THEY could use a bail out. Line up BEHIND the folks who have lost jobs, and homes, and their futures.

[ixion]

5. actually, that was my point

presented in a rhetorical fashion. It's hard times for my business, but I'm not really looking to the government to do anything. I sincerely empathize with folks who've lost their pensions, houses and livelihoods over the past couple years.

[Horse with no Name]

6. The biggest scam of all is the one where they "pretend" to give us a seat

at the table...but what they don't say is that it is the kiddie table.
The only voices in government are those that are backed by Blue Chip portfolios.

[ixion]

7. exactly... and the irony there is that

it's the "kids" who are providing their feast. :grr:

[HamdenRice]

8. I think it's coming. I see no alternative at this point except full nationalization ...

of one of the big banks -- probably Citibank. At that point, it could become like a "development bank" that exists in Third World Countries and Europe.

[ixion]

10. Nationalizing Citibank would really piss off the House of Saud

since they're the ones who own it now.

Not that this is a bad thing, of course. :evilgrin:

[leftofcool]

9. Sorry, you have to get in line behind all the bulemic CEO's

and the equally bulemic banks.

[OHDEM]

11. Hubby and I are small business owners, too.

Fuel costs alone killed us this summer. Thankfully, they've gone down now! But, we always start our spring in the red - we end up providing services for nearly 2 months before money starts coming in! So, we have to have access to credit to get up and going - next year has to be better in that area or it could destroy our business. We employee 2 to 5 people in different seasons as well.

I agree with Olbermann's statement "Today we're calling it a bailout. Tomorrow we'll be calling it - Why daddy went to prison!"

I hope tomorrow comes sooner rather than later for this band of crooks!

[progressoid]

12. Me too.

I've seen a number of projects in the last two months just dissapear. It's going to be a lean year.