Come Together

[R. P. McMurphy]

Being new to the DU, I am fascinated with the discussion going on here regarding the bailout. I have seen individual posts that have generated a lot of DU member input but most of those have been on an unusual or controversial topic or have simply been some silly flame war. This, however, is the first time I have witnessed an on-going discussion wherein the range of options and perspectives have been so thoroughly reviewed.

I believe that this is good for the DU. Sure; there are lots of allegations and recriminations. Passions are running high. It's an unsettling time. If the truth is told, though, none of us really knows what is the correct solution. The fact is the economy, like any chaotic system, has a life of its own. We can apply pressures or offer incentives and the economy may or may not respond in the way that we want. We can't account for all the forces acting on the economy and despite all of our best efforts and intentions; it may go off in a direction that we do not expect; much less control.

There are good points on both sides of this debate. Here is my two-cents worth. There are many professional financiers who deal with these issues every day. They have forgotten more about this subject than I will ever know and they are telling us that we have to do something or this situation is going to spiral into something that none of us want. Sure, the fat cats need to receive their comeuppance. A message needs to be sent. But we can't stand by and watch this thing blow apart. Some of us like the idea of being self-reliant and are secure in the knowledge that we will get through whatever comes. And we will. This will pass one way or another. But it will be better for all of us if we stick together and pull in a common direction for ALL of our benefit. We are in this together, aren't we? Isn't that a big part of our heritage as Democrats?

I believe that we need to do something but I won't pretend to know enough to suggest an answer. What I will suggest is that we don't have to solve the entire problem THIS INSTANT. Let's bite the bullet and tell our representatives that we want them to appropriate whatever funds are necessary to send a clear signal that we ARE going to deal with this issue. Let's put some oil on the water and try to settle this jittery market. Let's also give Congress a little time. Better to take a week (or two) and do the right thing than to blindly throw money into this whirlwind. Folks, we will make it through this turmoil. We may not do everything right. It may be very rough, but we will get through. Let's keep our wits and get a plan together. Then let's make sure we elect Barack Obama and make some fundamental change to this fouled-up system that the republicans have foisted upon this country.