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Failed bailout=Another Republican Depression. Incumbents out? Probably.

ALL of the Republican incumbents are TOAST; the Democrats did the right thing, the Republicans did not – we've had 8 years of failed economics, enough is enough!!!

The Republicans were the ones mainly responsible for the mess we are in so they should be voted out along with Joe Lieberman.

No, it's still the fault of predatory lenders and those who took out mortgages they couldn't afford.

Boise, ID

Please, America – VOTE these fools out! We deserve better only if we get out and vote. I had a flashback to watching a group of daycare children squabbling on a playground. These are grownup problems and we need grownups to solve them, so grow up or risk getting voted out!!!!!

Hell Jack. The Iraq war was more then enough to do that. This is just icing on a not so tasty cake!!

no, this was a hard vote. i don't want to bail out wall street but I'm afraid of what this "NO" vote will do to ME and the little people like me. I'm scared. I'm scared for my family, my job and my parent. What happen to the Good Ole' USA.....

I've got two ideas. One is that the bailout was killed by incumbents either in secure, deep-Red states or ones not up for relection November 4th.

My other thought is a bunch of Republicans wanted to be able to claim they were against it, and accidently killeded it instead of letting it squeak through. Now they are shaken and crying partisan to cover the fact, despite the actual evidence.

It is as good a reason as any, but I thought McCain rode in on a white charger to bring all sides together for a deal. What happened?

Jack,
I'm so confused! I think that's the plan. Is the bailout a good idea? Are the Dems right or Reps? It's been a constant blame game and no one really knows much about this bail out.
I do know this much, McCain should've stayed home instead of trying to get his paws in the details. Kinda blew up on your face, huh, Mr. Maverick?

After years of feeling lied to by the current administration and guided by horrible finacial policies already. I'm glad that our elected official stood up for us the middle class. Thanks to my Rep Timothy Ryan

This bailout was for the investers of all the big companies that failed so they wouldnt lose their shirt. This is not for the working people. This bill is for the rich. So NO BAILOUT.

Jack,

It's hard to vote the incumbents out of office when probably neither them, the challengers, the media, the public, or anyone for that matter really knows what the heck to do anyway.

Yes, and from both parties. The exception is the incumbents who have entered office only in the last 2 years. Perhaps then, someone in Washington will get the hint.

The sad thing is that this bailout needed the Congress to be bipartisan. In an election year, much less is a month before an election, that is a very difficult accomplishment. The leadership of both parties had a bare majority to support the bailout until Speaker Pelosi made a very partisan speech before the vote and Senator Obama wanted to make sure he received credit for the bill but not Senator McCain. Those two acts ensured the bill's failure.

The Democrats mustered over 60% of their delegates to vote for the bailout. The Republicans only got 33% of their delegates to vote for it. If the credit system fails as a result, who's to blame. Throw the bums out!!!!

Whew, thank God John McCain suspended his brilliant campaign to smooth the way for the swift passage of the financial bailout. That really worked out well didn't it. What a great mind he has. What great influence he has. What magnificent judgement he displays.

Yes.... obviously they have no idea on how to work for us, work together, or even how to work at all!

If I hear bi-partisan, across the isle, democrat or republican one more time i'm going to throw my plasma out the window. The house & senate on both sides act like a bunch of babies. My 9 year old does a better job of getting along with people. They should all get back to work and be fined every time they mention any of the 4 words above. They are ALL to blame for not being able to resolve this issue. We need some good independents to start running. I think people are getting really tired of seeing the leaders of our country act this way.

The general failure of our current government is reason to vote all incumbents out, bailout or otherwise. Why has our government become a celebration of incompetence?

No appeasement for financial criminals!

We can only hope!

Their 9% approval rating should get them all voted out. Seriously.

Unfortunately Jack the administration has lied so much to the public no one knows if the bail out was needed or not. In any event since John McCain has repeatedly continued lying throughout his campaign and he has been a champion of deregulation since his involvement in the Keating 5 scandal he should go down like a lead balloon.

We should get rid of all incumbents. They have proven time and again that they are only interested in themselves. Maybe if they didn't have jobs they would truly feel our pain. OOPS, what was I thinking? These are only part time jobs. They only work 1/3 of the year.

Jack, Yes they should be voted out. Get a big bus, put them in it and then stop in Washington D.C., Pick up the Bush administration and their cronies and take them all to Jail.

term limits can you say it with me. or three stikes your out. turn them loose. throw the bums out.

Republican Incumbets only, this is their mess.

The 111th Congress needs to have as many new faces as possible.
As a matter of fact if your father or mother or spouse held the office you can't hold the same office. You want to serve the public go to another state and run on your own merit. Remember a few years ago in a galaxy far far away politicians were running on the platform of term limits? It's time to revisit that concept.

EVERY incumbent should be voted out just like fumigating a house to get rid of roaches.

What an absolute disgrace they ALL are.....except for Dennis Kucinich.

He's the only true Democrat.

Corrected comment:

Jack, the Congressional failure today is only one of a whole host of reasons for not RE-electing anyone – including McBush.

The failures that brought us to this point are enough reason
to vote out all incumbents. The vote failed because some
were listening to their constituents, a rarity that only happens
when we are close to an election.
Yes, we should vote out, impeach, re-call, whatever it takes
to wipe the slate clean, immediately, and get America
going again. These people continue to point fingers and make
excuses.
Once again, accountability never seems to reach the top
of the agenda.

The American people who overwhelmingly disliked the notion of a bailout should celebrate that this corporate welfare package went down in failure. Since when are the taxpayers responsible for the bad decisions of large, wealthy institutions? I would highly recommend that the voters throw out of office anyone who voted in favor of this horrible bill.

We should certainly get rid of every politician who voted for deregulation and everyone who voted against transparency. The government is suppose to be watching out for us, instead they are only watching out for themselves, the lobbiest, and their fat cat contributors. That's why we're bailing out Wall Street umpteenth time. that's why the oil companies are pulling in multi-billion dollar profits and getting tax breaks on top of it. That's why Haliburton is getting massive no-bid contracts and setting up shop overseas. Enough is enough and it is time to put in strong politicians who will put their foot down on this nonsense.

Jack, we already had plenty of reasons to vote out all incumbents. Voting AGAINST this $700-billion debacle might make me rethink voting against some incumbents. By the way, was this $700-billion "bilout" really funded by another loan from the Chinese?

No. There are many other reasons to vote a lot of these people out of office, but this is not one of them. What we are seeing here is a genuine difference in opinion about the nature of the crisis, a trust issue with the current administration, and the socialistic direction this Plan is taking the country. A bit more time to reflect on this Plan may is not going to cause the sky to fall.

Bob
Welaka, Florida

In 2008 the Finance, Real Estate Insurance industry poured $339 Million into the Washington political machine. I gurantee this is part of the reason the bill is a failure. While some in Congress may finally be listening to their constituents who are mad as hell, Congress is a slave to special interests.
We need term limits and real campaign finance reform.

If the failure to pass the bill isn't enough the partisan bickering certainly is. Maybe we will all get along better when we are in the poorhouse.

Mike in Atlanta

The balloons have popped folks, the party is over! this might be the moment when we Americans realize how much political power we really do have. Enought is enough; George Bush=impeachment

Yeah! let ssend those "free market loving, No regulation lover, cheat me out of my money because they want to be reelected" packing.

Jack: It is enough reason to vote all those inepts out of office.....I think Pelosi said it well, "They claim to be free market advocates when it's really an anything-goes mentality: No regulation, no supervision, no discipline. And if you fail, you will have a golden parachute and the taxpayer will bail you out. Those days are over. The party is over." Now it is in God;s hands, and I'm not so sure he has the answer......it is apparent our government does..........just keep electing these individuals........and soon the gates of hell will be toll free.

When I heard on the radio that the bill failed, I got angry and wondered which way my Congressman (Rep. Bruce Braley) voted. The House's web servers have been overloaded, and I couldn't get to where I could find my Congressman's Washington phone number so I can get from one of his aides how he voted.

Here's my point on this: Whether the incumbents get voted out depends on who voted for and against this bill and which way each individual voter stands on this issue. If they're represented by one of those 180 or so Republicans who voted against the bill, and they are for its passage, then those GOP reps are in trouble. However, if they were for its defeat, then they're safe. It all depends on the voter and the Congressman.

If they didn't like the bailout plan – why didn't they present a better one for them to vote on. The economy needs to be stablized sooner rather than later. This is a case where something has to be done. What are they waiting on for someone they know personally to lose their house or something equally disatrous before something happens.

I am a Democrat and just watched Nancy Pelosi give a moronic
self serving statement over the failure of the bailout to pass. 94 Democrats failed to support it. She should go- preferably today.

The incumbents should be voted out of office, but not because the bailout bill didn't pass. It shouldn't pass as is.

The oversighters would have been the same people that caused the problem in the first place.

The CEOs would keep their multi million $ byebye bonuses.

Bad bill all the way around.

A clean slate of legislators are needed.

I should hope so. The House GOP should be purged.
But worse, this vote was nothing more than Republican posturing. Nancy Pelosi says something AFTER the deal is negotiated, they get mad, and screw the American people? How infantile can these Congressional blowhards get?
I'm glad I'm a Democrat.

I think the Republicans wil be voted out of office because of the president.

This is looking very bad for the republicans. The democrats are leading the way on the vote. McCain couldn't get the votes to do the work. Isn't this the reason he rushed back to Washington? His own party won't back him so, yes, all the republicans should be voted out.

Jack,
I never thought I would cheer (didn't say vote for) House Republicans but I do in this instance. The bailout, as I read it, does not "cap" CEO pay – it only limits the deduction their Company may take. The CEO only cares about his pay check, not the company's deductions. This plan did not satisfy this requirement of the public. Better to literally cap salaries at $500,000, then CEO's would be very reluctant to take their company to the public trough. The bill can be better.
J. Michael

I have yet to find out how the figure of 700 billion was even arrived at. Aside from that .. which encumbents would you vote out of office? The ones who said yea or the ones who said nay?

Jack, today's vote was a result of Republicans being so scared of being associated with the failed policies of George Bush that they put politics ahead of the welfare of middle America. The real vote will take place on November 4th.

Jack:

No, it is not the failure of the bailout, it is the fact we are even considering a bailout for these idiots. It is not the tax payers job to go around bailing out Wall Street and big business because they don't have the sense enough to come in out of the rain.

Let the idiots fall on their faces, let their businesses fail, that is the only way they will learn. We do this bailout all they will have learned is the government will step in every time they screw up. I do not support the bailout and I do not support any politician who supports this bailout and I will vote against the ones who do, to include the Presidential Candidates.

No... But the current condition of the U.S. treasury is.

As I write this there is supposed to be a vote on the bailout scheme. But don't vote on one fiasco, consider the whole 8yrs of damage done to this country, then vote all the incumbants out of office.!! Lets get 435 new faces and mixed parties in congress.

Jack,

I'm not an economic major – but after reading the proposed bill – I believe that Congress got this one right. For starters how did the treasury come up with this $$ figure? As a tax payer – I don't think it's right for our funds to be used to bail out companies for making bad investments while they earned millions of dollas on those investments previously. Over the past few years our income has gone way down while cost of living has gone way up. If anything Wallstreet needs to try and help the tax payers – not the other way around.

People losing their life savings is reason enough

This is one of the most distressing questions you've ever asked, Jack. Maybe it's time to vote the voters out, too. Even if a new broom sweeps clean on Capitol Hill, what's the point if the American people don't start taking their election responsibilities more seriously? If you keep handing your keys over to the smoothest talkers, you can't be surprised when your home's been trashed and your car's been taken for a joyride.

Recent polls have indicated that most Americans do not support a $700 billion, taxpayer-supported bailout of Wall Street. It seems to me that the Republicans, and not the Democrats, are largely in line with what the voters want. We'll find out in November, won't we?

No, I do not think there is enough evidence at this time to decide to use this vote to kick the bums out. I would like to see what happens next. If all heck breaks lose in the economy, then maybe we should vote them out. But if there is a bump but nothing earth shaking then it may prove them smart and courageous.

This bail out is equal to over 2 billion dollars per person, for every person in the entire United States.There are people dying in the USA because they don't have food, medicine, or even a home to live in. Think about that. 2 billion dollars per person from this bail out plan to save the fat cats who cared more about moeny then the people in the first place.

Wall Street is failing because the greed and corruption has gotten so bad that it needs to be purged.

Not passing the bail out is a good thing. The wall street goons are captialist till they're not makign money then socialist till they get money from the government. Then it'll be back to capitalism. It's sham. Rip the guts out of wall street and start over with regulation and oversight.

Jack,
Yes! 99% of them. If they aren't coming up with the money, take the foreign aid that is being giving away and let it help us, the taxpayers. After all, it's our money. Look out for our butts FIRST.

It's obvious that those responsible for passing legislation to resolve this sitaution are not able to effectively speak to the need for why such legislation is required. It's far more important to get re-elcted and hold a banner of partisan politics for this election cycle then to deal with real issues. I say we do them all a favor and see if they can find work in a economy which they have worked so hard to create. Maybe that will be the legacy vote they all need.

Jack: Only those Senators and House members who voted with former Senator Phil Gramm to dereuglate the banking industry back in 2000 should lose their jobs. Dereuglation has caused all this mess under the deguise of free markets. President Calvin Coolidge said "anything which good for business is good for government." Calvin was slow, but got out of office before the stock market crash of 1929. Business is not the caretaker of government, but rather government is business' conscience. Remember, Jack, you heard here first.

John
Alabama

Most people are against the bail out, but it would have passed if Nancy Pelosi had kept her big mouth shut. way to go Pelosi. This has been the most do nothing congress in History. Why would anybody in the world vote for a democrate. This country is in a crisis, or so they say, I don't trust any of them. Why should the taxpayers bail out wall street. We can do without wallstreet, but wall street can't do without main street.

Jack, why don't they televise these "secret" meetings? Are they afraid we'll see them talking to their lobyist friends, or is it they don't want their constituents to see how childish they really are? If they really want to do the peoples business, I say televise the meetings and prove it!!!

Actually it reminds me to vote all Republicans out of office. Bush and all the others don't seem to know how to communicate the consequences if we do, and if we don't pass this bill.

Just vote out the the idiots who voted against this bill and take away their retirement . They just decimated mine.

I will not vote out Rep. Miller of Florida because he had the guts to listen to the people of his State. When I spoke to his office they said that they had very very little support for the bailout. Therefore if my congressman voted with the people I will vote him back in......

AMERICA SAID WE WANT RESPIONSIBILITY AND THOSE THAT VOTED AGAINST THE BAILOUT LISTENED!

Milton, Florida

No. The Democrats in the House came up with the votes they said they would.

The Republicans did not.

Yes. Especially the Republicans. McCain charged in to lead the troops in the Republican party and they all retreated. This whole debacle is thanks to the Republicans. Vote them out and get people in there who care about America first, not their party.

Part of the problem of this financial crisis is foreclosures and people with to much debt. They can't promise the taxpayers their money back from this bailout. How about giving each taxpayer 1 Million dollars that they can only use to reduce debt or put in savings. Sounds like a win/win to me. Banks get their money and the taxpayer gets something besides the shaft for once. It's alot cheaper than 700 Billion. Thanks for all your work Jack, see if you can get this done.

Enough of letting political parties get in the way, enough of letting the upcoming election alter the way these politicians are voting. America and the world NEED this buyout. The bottom line is both Democrats and Republicans failed to do their fundamental job of representing and protecting the constituents – the American people.

Does that include the two that are running for president and the one running for vice-president? Can we start at the top?

I am a democrat, but on this subject I actually side with the conservative republicans in the house and would actually vote out anybody who supports the bailout.
This financial mess we are in, was created by the thieves in Wall Street who now want to scar everybody to death, so they can be rescued by the taxpayers.
We are not a socialist Nation and I hope we never become one.
Let the market fix itself out and the fat cats in Wall Street suffer for a while.
This bailout is bad for America, bad for taxpayers.

Jack, forget the bailout, overall both parties have shown they can not make a decision or even be on the same page on any issue concerning this country. First we had to listen about Wall Street greed, now for the rest of the week we get to here about our elected officials egos.

Jack, these incumbents can go on a nice vacation…say southern Waziristan? John McCain can be their tour guide. I heard it is nice there in mid November.

I am disgusted with every DEMOCRAT and REPUBLICAN who voted against this bill! How is it possible that the most fiscally irresponsible congress in the history of the US, suddenly on the eve of the most important vote on the largest financial crisis since the great depression SUDDENLY gets religion. Everyone agrees this is a horrible bill. BUT IT’S BETTER THAN NOTHING. The resulting shotgun wound to the economy of NOT passing this bill will cost the overall taxpayer FAR in excess of $700B, and individual citizens their jobs and livelihoods. Its like the economy is drowning in the middle of the ocean in a hurricane, and we are quibbling over whether or not we should be rescued in a life boat. Is a lifeboat the best vehicle to be stuck in during the hurricane? Clearly not, but it’s better than swimming!!! For those congressman who say their constituents are all against this bill (but who secretly hope it will pass, so long as they don't have to vote for it), I say this... you need to explain to your district's voters why not passing this bill will hurt them. You asked for great responsibility when you ran for congress and have spent years voting for funds to study the mating habits of bald ostriches and other absurd earmarks (democrats and republicans). Its time to man (or woman) up, pinch your nose and vote for this bill for the good of your COUNTRY!

I am very curious to know how many democrats and republicans in the House who voted against the bill are up for re-election in November. I think the answer will show that those who opposed this bill were more interested in keeping their jobs than helping the American people.

it does not matter to the RE-Pigs A.k.A. Republicans because they have most of their money is other markets. Therefore they are in a win win situation.

When America goes belly-up and we will, foreign investors will buy us out and the elitist Re=Pigs will have their hands in both cookie jars.

I don't think we should vote them all out. I congratulate the representatives that voted no. Why do all of the media and representatives on television say we must have this bailout? We cannot trust our elected officials to use the money wisely. Also, there are those of use who have already suffered the consequences of this economic situation. I am a real estate appraiser, appraising in Arizona for 25 years. My income has dropped to pratically zero over the last 1-1/2 years and I am now forced with trying to find employment in another field at the age of 55. The entire housing industry has already suffered greatly including appraisers, real estate agents and builders. We have already hit the bottom, why should anyone else be bailed out? The government is too late. If they want to pass a $700 billion bill how about dividing it up equally to the taxpayers. That should stimulate the market. From looking for new career at 55.

I read this preposal on monday, on wednesday i looked at it but did not read it. there fore i do not have enough information to comment on it at this time. I will suspend my campain,so i can pretend to give a S#@T, until i resolve this issue. Or not.

Jack, It's more like the straw that broke the camel's back.

Who ever put us in this mess; should be accountable for his or her mistakes. So dems and reps alike should pack up and find another country to help out.

This is what happens when you get a country that thinks they're entitled to material things, bank CEOs that think they're entitled to unheard of compensation, a congress that thinks they're entitled to unlimited power, and a president that didn't have a clue.

My IRA is falling as we speak. The house republicans are now pretending to come to the rescue after siding with Bush for 8 years, obviously a transparent ploy to hold on to their jobs. The democrats are the lesser of two evils, and maybe this country might find prosperity if those who sided with great wealth had at least two terms on the side line. I say throw the bums out and let them live off all the wealth they accumulated in the last eight years.

the basterds wanted to save their jobs, lets face it....many in america did not want this bailout....so the politicians listened to the masses who know nothing about economics...now the snakes can sloither home and pander to their constituates....so they can be reelected.....country first! indeed! meanwhile how ar the rest of us going to survive? no college loans , cut backs everywhere..this is the most disgraceful action by men and women listening to idiots

Absolutely!! This is a sad day to be an American. There must be a mind set change in this country, and it must start with the people. We must take back our government. We must become engaged and stay engaged with all the issues. We cannot trust either party to do the right thing any longer. To both parties, only the results of their next election matters, not what is best for the country. We need to find citizen politicians again and do away with the political officeholder for life crowd. And by the way, is either candidate for President capable of turning this mess around? That suggestion is laughable.

Jack,
Failed bailout only means to me that those reps up for re election fear losing their seats in Congress (equals job loss, with substantial benefits?How does that feel?). Nancy Pelosi needs to be impeached with Bush & Cheney. We the people are down, but not with out tails between our legs. We are snapping and snarling like pit bulls at the people who caused this American tragedy.

That still leaves you with 49 Republicans in the Senate, and Republicans with the majority, and they would control the House so my answer is no. The people at the lower end of the money chain have seen this coming for a long time, of course we don't have any say, so now we are in this mess brought by the Non-democratic ways of doing business, but it is the capitalistic way of doing business that has causes all of this mess. Haven't youn heard that money is the root of all evil, and those how are put in charge of large amounts of money without any tether, will usually steal most of it, if not all of it. Just remember, the Republicans wanted to put Social Security into this crazy system that is run by a bunch of thieves. If it now means that there was $700,000,000,000 to make them whole, where did it go. The answer is into the pockets of thieves.

One can only hope and pray! God help us all!!!

Jack, I am unashamed to admit that I'm a capitalist to the core but capitalism without prudent regulation is a recipe for disaster. Throw out the de-regulators because this country is built on "We the people", not We the Corporations".

Darren
Seattle Washington

REPUBLICANS SUCK !!!! GET RID OF ALL OF THEM !!!!!
They are the cause of this market disaster with their ideology of let business screw whoever they want as long as they get rich, and when they ended up screwing themselves and the democrats went to the mats to help clean up the mess they walked away from the american people and the best interests of the american people just like republicans always do. Selfish, I don't care about anyone but myself, bunch of useless politicians.

Throw out the ones that blame others. We need a group of citizens, representing us, that can (and will) listen to and process facts and data and work together in the best interest of Americans in the short and long term, as well as, take responsibility when a their actions do not work as well as when they do. You know Jack, grown ups.

The incumbants are using this issue to take a stand – one supported and encouraged by your own Lou Dobbs. We are no longer a two-party nation. Many of those who are listed as Republicans are actually Independents using issues to establish themselves as a voice to be reckoned with. It is time for McCain to come 'out of the closet' and admit he and Joe Lieberman are leading the revolt. Then we will know what we are up against and can more wisely act when we vote.

Let's see...the same politicians who allowed this mess to happen believe that we should re-elect them? The same politicans who allowed corporate lawyers to write the laws which led to this crisis expect us to support them? The same politicians who refuse to hold CEO's accountable for their thievery expect us to vote yes? The same politicians who will still get their tremendous perks and benefits really expect us to lie down and go along with this latest assault on our democracy? I smell a revolution.

Funny how the Republicans can ruin the economy, but when it's time to fix it, they run scared. They do not want to take responsibility for their actions, but the American people will make them take responsibility on November 4th. If this doesn't show the American people Republicans don't care about the average person in America, I don't know what will. You people need to open your eyes and realize the Republicans are playing w/ American money and it's time to take them out of power before they ruin our whole country. They've gotten a pretty good start w/ the War (w/ no weapons of mass destruction) and the economy. We need to ban together and BAN the republicans from public office. They don't deserve to sit around for another 4 years and mess up my future goals! Obama 08!

Maybe if the economy tanks into a depression before election day, just maybe....Nah! After today the elephants can rewrite their responsibility for this mess so they can campaign against those cowardly liberals that want to bail out wall street and spend all that taxpayer money. Guess they think the $600B or so spent in Iraq was a good investment.

This administration has destroyed the country. The Republicans have played the primary role in that destruction. Democrats that were elected in a landslide to turn things around have failed. So, if it takes a completely new slate of legislators to make the changes that are required...so be it.

What are most of you people talking about?? God Bless the people (both Dems & Repubs) for voting this down!! It's about time we take responsible for our actions – remember, WE voted them in office to begin with!!

And being from MA, Barney Frank will NOT be re-elected – he was a main driving force for the Community Lending Act!!!

Turning those in power out is usually not a bad thing, because the longer one is in power, the more likely it is that power becomes the goal. Certainly, those who couldn't get over their own polictical agendas, and decided to play chicken with our jobs and retirement should be turned out on their ears. The ones who made an effort to get us through this, and were willing to take a risk to do something to turn things around might get another chance.

Eliot Solomon
Brooklyn, NY

I think we should vote them all out. Call it economic term limits. They have failed every sincle US citizen...man woman and child. They don't deserve another chance,. Let them go look for work and see what the reality of the job situation and economy really is like.

Just goes to show that the Repubs. are in the pocket of thier corporate overlords.

Jack,
I think these past 2 weeks are more proof than ever, that we need term limits in the Congress. Lifetime politicians forget how to act like rational human beings and are not able to see past the next election.

Jack,The Democrats showed courage with the bailout.The Republicans didn't.Pelosi was stupid to allow this vote without
assurances of a 100 Republicans voting for It.Get ready for a
Democratic landslide In 2008.Maybe then we can get a bill more aimed at helping those hurting and eliminating golden purchates
for those like Carly Fionia.

Since nobody has convinced me that we need a bailout in the first place, I believe it should be the other way around. Almost noone outside washington or wall street believes that a bailout is necessary. I say let the people who caused the problem in the first place pay for the bailout. I.E. Warren Buffet who has recently used his own money to bail out companies. We must ask ourselves the question, who stands to lose the most? The taxpayer, or the wealthy wall street execs? Typically, the person/persons who stand to lose the most, yell loudest when something goes wrong. In this case, I see the Whitehouse and wall street yelling the loudest, and since the people have heard that we are going to pay for the bailout, we have been yelling too, but it seems nobody is listening. Or perhaps they are.

The republican congressman's comparison today of this bill to the bolshevik takeover in Russia in 1917 is offensive and ignorant – typical right wing rhetoric. I agree that Ms. Pelosi's comments today were probably over the top as well, but for the republicans to be "angry" and vote against this bill as a result is childish – talk about not putting country first. Vote the republican bums out!

am very curious to know how many democrats and republicans in the House who voted against the bill are up for re-election in November. I think the answer will show that those who opposed this bill were more interested in keeping their jobs than helping the American people.

Jack, I don't think voting all of them out is the answer. Instead, everyone should vote across party lines. If we can't get rid of the 2 party system – which no longer seems to work – then put one party in across the board. I would prefer the Democrats

Speaker Pelosi's speech was in line with her job. She was reasurring americans that this predicament that the nation is now in will not happen again. Of course the Republicans who caused this horrific disaster know the blame lies with them and therefore use her speech as an opportunity to screw main street, AGAIN!

Hi Jack.

Easy Yes to ousting incumbent Republicans and their economic philosphy that yielded this mess. But more importantly, why isn't anyone stating the obvious question re Candidate McCain:

L. Graham said "thank god John McCain [suspended his campaign] came back" because he was the savior for this plan – so what do they have to say about themselves now? The grand stunt has been revealed for what it was. McCain only hurt the process, and certainly did not do anything to help foster a deal.

The whole Congress should be purged. This Congress has had the worst approval ratings ever. Until the voters take a stand and say "enough is enough" nothing will change. Whether you are Democrat or Republican you must agree that neither party has put the citizens of this country first.

Mary
Santee CA

While I am very wary of the bailout, at least the Democrats were willing to work a compromise, even as hard as President Untrustworthy Bush was pushing for the bailout. McCain came in, muddied the waters with his white horse, and ran off to the debates where he got knocked off that maverick steed. But the Senate and House are both tainted by years of partisan politics and even with a new face in the White House (whoever wins), I can't see them pulling together to do anything to get this country back on course.

I think a lot of "politics-as-usual" multi-term Senators and Representatives will find themselves in a no-win situation back home. They collectively let this happen, no matter which side you voted on, and will pay the price. Even the ones not up for re-election at this time may find themselves in recall elections or votes of no confidence and can pretty well kiss their perks goodbye in the long run.

We should keep the incumbents because they have proved their worthiness, by doing the bidding of the people. They have finally listened to the people and rejected this ludicrous bailout. We will no longer be frightened by the robber barons, banks, and the Federal Reserve into giving up our livelihood. Down with the Federal Reserve, fractional reserve banking, and predatory credit practices which are all responsible for killing our economy, purchasing power, and lowering our standard way of life.

Craig, San Antonio, Tx

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see them all go, but it won't help to just replace them because the current system doesn't function to represent the people and, last I heard, that's what it's supposed to do. I'm pleased the bailout was rejected, of course, but it was rejected because the Republicans see it's passage decreasing their chances for re-election, not because the middle class is sick of paying for this party we haven't even been invited to. It's less than even a bittersweet victory that they did the right thing for the wrong reasons. If it's the Armegeddon, the rich are going down with me! Little justice, but it's a start. Susanne, Trumbull, CT

Unfortunately, we can't vote out the ones who voted against the bailout. After all the months of this administration saying that the economy is fine and then turn around and say it really isn't, it makes one wonder if this is the so called October surprise, only a little early. And a whole lot worse.

Jack, I think Nancy Pelosi said it best, "The Party Is Over!" and I am talking politicians on BOTH sides of the Aisle.

When you say bailout, people automatically think blank check. What amazes me is our representatives have not told the people what informed citizens such as myself and Warren Buffett know – this is an assett purchase – the taxpayers have little to lose, and could potentially gain. What the real issue is hinges on the 5 weeks the Congressmen have left to run campaigns and how they are more interested in a re-election than helping their nation.

After today, anyone still voting for a Republican, incumbent or not, should question their own sanity. If they are living on a pension tied to the Wall Street, they better reconsider their options. It was eight years of Republican greed and deregulation that got us here and they aren't helping us get out of this mess.

if you have been in office for more than 7 years you should be fired.

I can't even speak, I am watching my life savings go down the tube as the market tanks, and the MORONS in Washington still have to point fingers like 2 year olds.

No. That's overkill. But we should look at how each member voted on the issues relevant to us. I am shocked that the Republican House leadership would blame a "partisan speech" by Nancy Pelosi for having members vote against a bill. That seems childish and churlish, and that kind of reasoning behind votes should disqualify members from reelection.

Stop all the political bull!!! and finger pointing. You have to do some thing to help main street America! Yes give Wall Street 700 billion dolars, they will know what to do with it, just like Citigroup trying to buy Wachovia, who's kidding who!!

No, the ones who voted against the bailout are heroes–and I'm a Democrat. Why not ask Big Oil and Halliburton and the combined bank accounts of Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz/Bush to pony up before the taxpayers pay to have these criminals "jump bail." I will now have to work 4 more years in order to make up the difference in my 401k losses. Also, if bank fees were reduced, that would put more money in the economy.

I think the reason for the bail out should get people to vote against the standing GOP that are in office now. I would say Democrates too but as they had no Majority until a short while ago and Bush vetoed anything they tried to pass. Then the buck stops with the GOP running the country to the ground.

Jack,
What are we waiting for, let's start over includung the Supreme Court. I'm sure our Fore Fathers have rolled over enough. Maybe that why these Hurracines and Earth Quakes are hitting us. I agree we need CHANGE, the whole darn bunch.

Dennis
Ama., TX

I have watched with total amazement and disgust at how the "leaders" of this country have talked about working in a bipartisan manner and then go on television and put their own egos above trying to find a solution to the present financial mess we find ourselves in. It appears to me their own political self interests and poll numbers are more important than truly working together to help Main Street America. Perhaps they should get out of Washington and work Main Street America and live on what Main Street America makes.

Jack a group of leading economists, not from wall street need to decide what to do. As for the incumbents the Republican's chips should fall whre they may. This bailout was like giving a blank check to a drug addict.

Absolutely all republicans. After all, having a majority in the house for the past 2 years for democrats is not control, when you have Lieberman saying he's an independent in the senate and siding with the republicans, together with Bush veto happy on anything that didn't funnel money to his cronies. Regardless of the results of the bail out, all republicans should be replaced. They should also enact a law placing term limits on all public offices (no matter what their affiliation is) and taking away their hefty lifetime retirements and other benefits, because once they are in there for more than 2 terms they are usually in somebody's pocket. Plus many of them have never worked an honest day in their lives in order to relate to their constituents.

That, Jack, is what the GOP is counting on. If all incumbents are thrown out, then they get the house back. They're just playing this up for all its worth. Pelosi and the Democrats are in a corner. bush's policies have led to this disaster, and now that he's asking for a bailout (like he has all his life when he's failed at one thing or another), the GOP smells blood. They can claim they're protecting the taxpayers, but I suspect a number of them were probably short selling on the market today knowing their "Nay" votes would drive the market down.

What does what Pelosi said have to do with a bailout bill that the republican said they will vote for? Republicans wants to look like they are on the side of the American people. They are playing politics with this very emergency situation.They will loose this election because of this stance.

I'm glad the Bailout plan failed, it was rushed through and poorly put together. What upset's me the most is all these Press Confrences telling the side of the 205 Congressmen and women who voted for it . I'll like to see a Press Confrence with the 228 who voted against the Bill. I thought majority ruled in America or is it Corperate controled Media and Government. By the way Jack I'm a Democrate but right now I have to thank the 132 Rep. who voted against this crap.

Jack, Things are getting even more ridiculous every day. A republican president requested this bailout, a republican presidential candidate suspends his campaign to go to Washington last week about the bailout and ruins negotiations, and I just watched a news conference of republicans house members complaining about something the Speaker of the House said earlier today that offended them so much that they weren't able to get enough votes. You just really have to wonder about these "Country First" republicans.

Jack,

It's difficult to say right now if the non-passage of the 'bailout' bill is forcing the Dow into the tank. I think we need to wait to deliver judgement until we see how the market reacts once it has had time to do so. Right now, my belief is that the market is still in limbo because of the discussions about putting the bill back on the table. i think the Wall street guys are nervous that we all might still get stuck with a reckless, stop-gap bill that doesn't actually help.

So, no–the failed bailout bill is not a reason to vote out incumbents. It may be a good thing. And we need to recognize the brave Representatives on both sides of the aisle who had the gumption to stand up against the intense pressure they were facing.

Jack, What a great idea!!! I'm with you on this one, The new bill should includ term limits for Congress, and the Senate. Maybe that's the change we REALLY need.

Yes, and let's get new one's in there to do the job right.

hi jack
the GOP need to be put out now,they need to grow up.if you cant stand the truth you need to change parties.no guts GOP just like McBush.
clearwater,fl

Barny Frank was correct.

A "pox" on those that don't think we have a need for a bill.

The failure of the bailout isn't reason to vote the incumbents out..it's the fact that we needed the bailout. If the members of congress spent as much time doing the peoples buusiness as they do patting each other on the back,we probably wouldn't be in this mess.

C Keeler
Denver,NC

Jack,

Yes, the incumbents should be voted out. But there's one problem – the label "incumbent" is not on the ballot. Only their party affiliation is....

Does anybody in Congress, or the media, understand what is happening? I include the media because from the beginning they have poisoned perceptions by calling this a "Wall Street bailout"; it is not. Wall Street is but one component; this is a credit/liquidity crisis. Anger against the excesses which have been identified is valid and must be dealt with, but not now. The immediate problem must be addressed because without it, credit and liquidity dry up, and nothing, nothing will move. What is before Congress is a credit/liquidity stabilization plan; this is what must be addressed now. And now I'm listening to the partisan finger-pointing – this is absolutely childish. Did those who voted against this do so because their feelings were hurt, or in response to polls that stated that their constituents were upset? Of course they're upset; they have been prejudiced by the presentation of the crisis. But we elect our representatives to cut through excrement, to have the courage to tell us the truth regardless of the consequences to their political careers. These fools have just exacerbated this crisis, and Main Street will now suffer greatly as credit and liquidity dry up. May be its time to start over!

john mccains camp just released a press statement three hours ago giving credit to the maverick with hopes that the bill will pass.Another famous bridge to nowhere.

The main incumbent to be voted out is the ultimate failure of leadership, Nancy Pelosi. This woman just can't help shooting off her mouth in her usual partisan way. Despite much of this financial mess being caused by Democrats and their forcing banks to give mortgages to unqualified people in the name of "diversity", Ms. Pelosi and her media allies keep perpetuating the myth that the financial mess is all Republicans fault.

I don't know Jack. Sometimes it's better to stick with the devil you know. Replace the incumbents and who will we get? A bunch of Sarah Palin look alikes? Be careful what you wish for.

All of the congressmen and congresswomen need to be voted out. We need people with common sense and not life long congreemen or congreewomen that are more interested in lining there own pockets with speical interest money. Why has not any of the congressmen or congresswomen been asked to give back there money they recieved from Fannie mae and Freddie mac. I think this is a problem finacially on the markets because all of congress are crooks and fixing to get caught with hand in the cookie jar. They stole all the Social Sercurity and now the 401 k's.

i'm sitting here in front of my tv,watching the stock market dive. should they take the dive too,of course. this is more against the wellfare of the american people than for a bailout. i can't believe that they caused this problem but do not want to take responiblity for it.isn't this the republic way. if everything is going great it is all because of what they did.if it goes down the tubes not us.i guess mccain has no real clout in washington.give us the names of these idiots so they can be looking for another employer. it won"t be us.thanks jack

Definitely Jack, I say throw the Bums out. The blame game I saw today was pathetic. Is this what we're paying all of these elected officials to do? Out with the old, in with the new and improved.

Has anyone besides me noticed that Black Monday was also the last Monday of September in 1929?

well Jack, my first reaction was to lock my doors. I suppose the SEC will close the Street after today, banks will close their doors and how will we get our paychecks that are suppose to available in our accounts.

If something isn't done, I fear we will see the effects of a deep depression. Let's see what happens. My parents made it through the great depression but they had a place to grow their own food.....how many Americans can do that today.

Now we can watch another political party come to the rescue, but not until everyone out there has nothing left in their retirement accounts or mutual funds and the people on main street are without jobs, homes, toys, etc. STONE SOUP anyone?

Mr Cafferty,

Although I am Canadian and maybe will be affected as well, I am happy that the bill did not pass. I am sure Bush and his millionaires friends will feel a taste of revenge from the hard working middle class. Solution? Give that 700B to people who needs it. Why giving it mostly to rich and crooked people? Enough.

DITTO to Ann's comment. Act like adults. Act like you care !!

It's reason enough to get rid of every last incumbent that didn't vote for the bill, but not those that put the interest of the country first.

The fact that a bailout was needed – in itself – says that those responsible, the current administration, should be held accountable. The house republicans, wanting to distance itself, from the administration, voted against it – dooming the country. What does it matter what Pelosi said. Don't these guys know that it is the bill that's on the table – not Pelosi's speech. Politicians – all they care about is a vote.

Let the Banks Fail. I'm tired of hearing people say we need to bail the banks out. The Banks became greedy and now the banks and the U.S. government wants the tax payers to bail out Wall Street. Where was my bail out when I had to shut down my small business and loss tens of thousands of my own money.

Jack
Senate should freeze all the assests of All CEO's including their GOLDEN parachute of these trouble companies, Who had made their fortune for last several years.

I actually wrote to my representatives and told them taxpayers are tired of paying for every little whim and wish of government. When the government refuses to assist taxpayers, not bail out, and want to bail out and give everything to the people that caused this mess, it is all wrong and we shouldn't give them a dime. Not that a dime is worth anything anymore.

I think no one should serve over two terms anyway.The people that are blaming Washington for all the problems are Washington. Obama amd McCain both have been in office for several years.They are part of the problem for not seeing this upcoming problem.
Get rid of all incumbemts I say.That is what I have decided to do when I vote this year.

If things were the way they should be the losses on the stock market should stay with the stock market. Unfortunately, retirements are at risk because it is no longer just a stock market. The whole heallth of the country now rises and falls with the stock market. Does this tell us that a drastic change needs to be made. True supply and demand must come back. The stock market must be for those who can afford to lose (ie: speculators and futures players). The question should be: How can we make it so those people can lose, and the rest of the population will not be affected? The rest of the population (plain people who do not have "portfolios") should not be dragged into the muck. The change must be enormous!!!!

You vote the incumbants out and you will still have partisism.Why?The apple doen't fall too far from the tree.It is best,however,to vote them out now,because those that are in there?.They have been in office so long,that they feel the power of their office.They have deep roots with corrupt campaign partners.Big Oil,Banks,insurance companies,Government Contractors,just to name a few.

If they did not have enough votes going into this then why push for a vote? 218 would have passed through the House and there are 235 Dems in the House, of which some 95 voted No!!

It is no good Pelosi and Franks blaming the Republicans if they cannot rally their own party. The only bipartisan action was the 228 who wanted to save their seats come November. I would like to know how many are in marginal areas.

Politics as usual and the majority will be re-elected unless and until America wakes uop and realizes that it is being duped.

The only war going well is the one on the Middle Classes.

David
Westbourough, MA

Jack,
It is amazing that the republicans now say they are concerned
about middle class America in this bail-out when all they
have done for the last eight years is support de-regulation,
pass unfunded, irresponsible policies and give big business
and the rich any and every perk that came along.
They know they are in trouble with the voters and
even at the cost of the future of our country they choose
to poster, pander and try to make America think they
are the knight on a big white horse to the rescue.
Wow, what a mess our government has become.
Vote the bums out.

I think that the failure to pass the bailout means that we should not only vote out all the incumbents, but make sure that these people never stand for public office ever again. Is it the best bill in the world? No. But to be unable to even get something, anything passed in a time of national crisis shows just how far the country has gone from being united after September 11th, to being in a state of complete gridlock. With leaders like these, who needs enemies?

Democrats have the majority in the HOuse. They could have passed this bill with no help from Republicans. Now, just because they had 95 Democrats who they couldn't control, they want to blame this failure totally on republicans.

yes,

and we should impeach bush and dark vador, look at what they have done to the country and the world in the past 8 years.........
they must go down in history as the 2 worst ever......

and what is really ugly, is that mccain is just another favor of the same stuff

what has happened to our country..........

Not all incumbents, just the republicans in the house that said they voted agaist the bill becuase they were offended by Nancy Pelosi's speach. They put the countries economic future at risk becuase they where offended. What a joke!! Stop acting like teenagers and fix our economy!!! Vote these clowns out

It's the cherry on a toxic time bomb. All that have and/or had aligned themselves with Bush should be pay on election day. This country is on one leg thanks to the REPUBLICAN PARTY. Time to post your resume............

I don't think it is a call to vote out the incumbants, I think it is a call to vote out the Republicans. I think one positive side of this failure to bailout the credit system is that the Republicans have just delivered the Presidency to the Democrats!!

vote all incumbents out of office? I'm swinging more on getting them ALL out of the office incumbent or not. Lets face it the American way of life is over now. Thanks McCain, Your Party has in 1 vote done what no other party has done. Add that to your accomplishments as "Maverick" I can't wait to hear the Spin on this one. What will the McCain Campaign say to playing petty politics on such an important vote. REPS 63 yes, 189 NO?? Shame on you REPS and thanks for destroying our children & their children's future

I was highly offended by Republicans claiming they voted against the bailout on the basis of a comment made by Pelosi. Having heard the comment, it was clear to me it was directed not at the Republican Party, but President Bush, and the CEO's and greedy buisnesses that put us into this financial mess in the first place. I belive they were simply looking for a out. It saddens me that most of our politicians are in the pockets and pocket books of the people who use America, and seem to care little about its future, as long as they can make a quick buck off the rest of us. I really wish we had politicans (on both sides) who would think about America first, and not try to twist words to find meaning that isnt' there, and a out so they don't have to cross the people who helped pay their way to Washington.

Jack,

Somebody has made a lot of money during this timeframe. I bet if you follow the money trail, not only will the true culprits be found, but we'll identify what legislative holes need to be filled for this bailout legislation.

Jon B.
Woodbridge, VA

No, it's about time Americans start paying attention to the issues and to the voting records of their candidates – we have gotten too lazy with OUR responsibility to vote wisely – it's much easier to vote party, vote what the preacher says, vote what our neighbor says, – we hand our most precious gift over like it was a coupon we got in the mail. Some incumbants have been fighting for their districts and their States, that is why they were sent to Washington in the first place – some have been lining their pockets with money and power – throw those bums out – just don't send new bums in their place. I really hate to see the mob mentality of "throw the baby out with the bathwater".

Please someone tell the House of BAD reputations to take their smelly behinds back to work you do not deserve a break. Voters these people should be voted out all of them.

Jack, if you've been reading any of my comments these last couple of years, you know that my vote is to not only vote them out, but prosecute to the fullest extent of the law and beyond all Senators & Congressmen who blatantly vote in favor of the corrupt theives who continually profit from working people's bad fortune & good faith.

I contacted my representative and told him I would vote him out if he voted for this bill. I'm tired of the scare tactics. They didn't consult one economic expert on other alternatives to this huge bailout. Let the big guys fail-they need to. The little guy hasn't been able to borrow becuase of tightening credit-we have had a hard time paying for our homes. Let the big guys go through the same thing for a change. We don't want to bail them out any more! Good for the ones who had the nerve to say no. About time.

Jack,
YES! Absolutely
They have no regard for the country nor us as citizens.
None should be returned to Washington.
None.

Why? End the pain now. Why prolong this with a bailout that will only help the haves. The havenots have already lost everything Jack. Finally the wealthy will feel some pain. They can't make any more money off the havenots nor can they play the market like a slot machine. Yeah for the Republicans that had the foresight to put this game to an end.

I am out of work, so I've been watching what has been happenign in our Capital. I am mad as hell, here we go again, those clowns (Republican) must think the Amersican people are dumb ans can't read. Numbers don't lie, but they do.

Come this Nov., I intend to vote all incumbent out of office, and bring in someone who understand the middle class.

This tell me what is more important to the Republican, it's not what good for main street, but wall st. Give the big dogs a bail out and they will help the less fortunate. Did'nt Pres. Reagen try this the trickle down effect, it did'nt work then and it will not work now!

How about 99% of the Congress booted out....
10 Million of us should go to WA DC and kick their backsides out of Congress. Low IQ clowns is what they are.
James Johnson
Minneapolis

The fact that a bailout was needed – in itself – says that those responsible, the current administration, should be held accountable. The house republicans, wanting to distance itself, from the administration, voted against it – dooming the country. What does it matter what Pelosi said. Don’t these guys know that it is the bill that’s on the table – not Pelosi’s speech. Politicians – all they care about is a vote.
From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

I am watching my retirement fund disintegrate. This is due to incompetance in Washington. No wonder Bush and congress approval ratings have been flushed down the toilet. There should be term limits. I absolutely refuse to vote for any incumbant since they only represent corporate America, special interests PAID FOR by the people. We need another Boston Tea Party pronto.

Listening to Republicans say that they did not vote because Pilosi was not nice was like watching my 5year old saying I am not going to play with him because he was not nice!! Come on – grow up!!

Unbelievable – they want to put our country at risk of total failure because someone hurt their feeling? Give me a freaking break!

Guess what? I am an independent supporting McCain – but after seeing the Republicans, I am switching my vote. This is crazy and childish.

again the gop don't get it... They didn't think of the security of the usa...The all worse than I thought, meaning gambling, on it

Jack, at this time a great American words come to mind: History has tried hard to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians. Now, to go and stick one at the very head of the government couldn't be wise. Mark Twain. Nuf said !

Right now as a country we need to keep the economy going.We need this bailout.In time we will go after the idiots but for now we need this bailout.Today I found out that the bailout failed so now I will call my congressman and tell him to get his butt moving and pass this bill.Ladies and gentleman its about the economy.

The Boston Tea Party resulted with the tea in the sea. Let's do the same thing in this election. Vote for revolt.

Both the Republicans and Democrats are playing games with the
future of our country. I don't know what what said to the house leaders and senate leaders but I know it was bad enough to make them all
turn pale and get them to try to work together. Perhaps, they should
take the ones who voted no and impress on them that the time for
playing is over, time to be a grown up and get the economy back on
the road to recovery. Their constituents are pressuring them to vote
no but if the economy blows up, who will they blame? The voters?
They need to vote yes and then pass another bill for term limits on
Congressmen and Senators.

Jack, I want a list of all representatives and the way they voted, and for those that voted, 'No'. I want them called out on the table and explain to us their solution to this issue, because they MUST have a better idea.

Jack I think the best thing we can do as a country is to vote all of the incumbents out of office who voted NO on the bill today! NOBODY likes this bill, but thanks to the Bush administration and their screw ups over the past 8 years, this is the ONLY alternative left. Why can't these so called leaders see this and indeed LEAD! Quit posturing and get this thing done before the situation gets any worse, if it could possible get worse that is.

Steve

Nappanee

No it equals Republicans out. Eight years of Bush and the country is on the brink of ruin.

Well Jack, after seeing all this today on the economy, I think it's time for all of US, to push for Term-Limits. Let them go after their term. Then they can find their own insurance, jobs etc. I'm sick of all of them, too much bi-partisan stuff. James

The reason the bailout is needed should get all of congress removed,

Yes McCain, Give us the names

No, it is a reason to vote all Republicans out!

Why are the Democrats getting any blame for this Republican politicizung everything. They politicized the War on Terror and look how that's going. And the economy - didn't we have balanced budgets and the expectation of paying off our national debt after the Clinton administration. Instead the Republicans decided to transfer all that wealth to the rich.

Aim right America - its the Republicans that need to be booted!

"economic rescue plan"? Bail out

I saw a micro version of this economic debacle in my local economy and in my industry in 2001, I had thought when they said there was a dire problem with the economy that they had recognized it and were going to fix it.

It now seems we have sold a lot of people on the idea that the ‘spinning top’ of a credit scheme we have is in fact a perpetual machine. And the intent of the bail out is to add energy to the spinning top so that the salesmen can say “ Well, it got a little wobbly there, but see…it is perpetual !”
It seems they don't intend to fix it, they intend to perpetuate it with productivity that it does not produce.

Walt-Ohio
If ever there was a time to vote the bums out, it is today! It frankly amazes me that it takes such a crisis to see what is right in front of us, if we can clearly see it now.

This is not a failure. In fact, this has increased my faith in democracy. The bailout is a scam, and that is why they are rushing to pass it. There are no guarantees that if passed "the bailout " will have the desired effect of increasing lending, but it will protect unethical corporations that literally deserve to fail. Along with the fact that 700 billion dollars can provide alot of incentives for new banking business that will emerge. Want to increase lending by banks how about lowering interest rates?

I can't believe we "The American People" have allowed them to be there this long. It's time for the people of America to unite as one and speak up! God knows our leaders have failed to lead. Besides, American's need to take back THEIR country – it's been left too long in the hands of those who only serve their own interest...and bank accounts.

jack i think the gop should be respounsible no matter what happens they got us into this mess and now they want to try to put the blame on nancy polosi because they didn't like her speach BOOHOO GROW UP N.Y.

Very few people in this country even have an inkling of how the economy functions. People think because Wall Street is full of greedy fat cats, it is right to make them pay the price and fail. There is a lack of understanding that when the financial instutions go, they may take all of us down with them. The members of the House had a stark choice: save the economy, and perhaps the country, or pander to voters who can't fully see what is a stake. As usual, they went for reelection.

Why can't we take the trillion dollars and give it to bail out homeowners in trouble, re-negotiate mortgages and make small business loans available to business' that need them.

I can't, don't and won't believe anything the government or Congress is telling me.

All credibility is gone. Government is bankrupt in many ways.

For months I've been seeing the unavoidable crisis your economy was heading into from an outsiders perspective continuously asking myself " are they really as dumb as the rest of the world sees them as?". I always gave the benefit of the doubt to my North American brothers and sisters but this just confirms what my instincts have always told me...too many of your politicians who are in office are there by means of votes achieved by scare tactics reminiscent to mid-evil times to suppress people from the lights of the truth instead of by positive uplifting policies which empower them!

They should all have their voting habits thoroughly vetted and those who dont stack up well, be JAILED!

looks like the mantel of king of the continent may be heading north to wiser hands where it should be.

perhaps ms palin can outline her financial plan to bail out wall street.

I'm proud of the American Congressmen who voted against this bill (it's been awhile). Congressmen who voted against this bill (on both sides) understand the importance of protecting our currency over short term confidence in the markets. Also why aren't people talking the Feds role in all of this (actions taken during the 90s), flooding the markets with easy money and putting interest rates at unrealisticly low levels, especially during the Clinton years. This stuff seems so obvious if you do a bit of research. Why don't we hear more about this stuff on leading news networks?

There has been too many reasons to throw them out, this only adds to the total of stupidity that can be placed on Nancy Pelosi's feet.

No, they took a calculated risk in this vote that will consolidate their positions.

Keep Barney Frank–we'll need at least one member of the House with humor in the months ahead.

Yes, and a few namely Schumer, Pelosi and Frank are the Benedict Arnolds of our day. They should immediately resign, be charged with high treason and bear the penalty. Where is the rope !!

Jack,

If small business is the backbone of the economy and a credit freeze will cripple small business, why doesn’t the government use say 350 billion to create a federal fund where those businesses could get the short term loans to keep them going in much the same way they now do with the crippled credit market.
If we did something like that we would help small business and thereby keep the economy going AND allow the market to do what Republicans tell us they are supposed to do; readjust by allowing the big banks to fail and the small community banks to flourish. What do you think?

Sharon

Yes, for all who voted yes on this version of the bailout eleven days and this the best that they could come up with. I am taking names and numbers of all legislators who are up for re-election in my State. Clearly, this bill serves no purpose but to bailout wallstreet and large investors with the promise of a few crumbs trickling down to the very people who will be footing the bill. I don't know about you Jack but I'm not a gambler. This bill's odds of achieving what it's intended in my opinion is like a high stakes Las Vegas gamble. Not to mention, the kids on the Hill aren't playing nice in the sandbox anymore. I'm thinking the markets and banks will save themselves....What a novel idea.

Jack, I think the Republicans rejected this bill to get away from Bush ultimatley to save their jobs, except now voters will play the role of 'wall street'. I guess the sheep are running away from the shepard!

The news keeps reorting that the credit markets are frozen yet I have not seen any news programs go out and document this incindiary statement. Show me a series of interviews and factual data that the lending process to small business is frozen shut, business is not meeting its payrolls, can't buy any new product, etc. I don't b elieve anybody anymore unless documented.

In line with this...how much cash are the banks holding ranther than lending it out.

The bail-out may or may not be dead and the same can be said for the economy. Home building would degfinately be dead and getting a mortgage a big problem. Some help might be afforded if the govnment makes a large amount of cash available to banks at a very low intrest rate – would restore some liquidity. The effect on retirement palns, people dependent in dividend income, car loans, etc. remains to be seen. Right now a lot of peple are thinking that under the mattres is the best place for cash.

I don't think they all need to get voted out, but I will tell that I do not like to keep seeing the different groups hold news conferences. First the democrats, then the republicans, what about them just doing their jobs as Americans instead of we talk then you talk. Please lets get together in this COUNTRY and stop Isolating ourselves from each other.

Thomas

Other than the Bush administration, who is to blame for the fiasco we are in? When he appeared on national tv explaining why it was needed, who is going to believe him? I didn't. I am not sure what the consequences of the bailout failure will be so who do I blame other than Bush for getting the U.S. in that positon.

Jack, it's enough for me to vote them back in. Just today I had to haggle
with my health insurance company about their obligated share of my
cancer treatment expenses. Their CEO has made over 2 billion dollars
in 14 years working for that company. That's over 140 million per year
not for making great contributions to science & medicine but for his
tight fisted screwing of health patients. The thought of these wall street
CEOs, thieves in every respect, having the pitifully minute limitations on
their colossus salaries that this bogus bill provided for, fills me with
absolute rage. For once I applaud congress, at least the house, and
a pox on the senate and the executive branch.

REPUBLICANS = OUT.

Thank you Jack.

No. The bailout is not the reason to vote them out. What led us to this point is the reason to get rid of them. Frankly, George Bush and his administration is responsible for this. I am all for small government as long as it works legally and for reasonable profits. What we have is a bunch of crooks who wanted instant gratification with big profits without considering the risks, and then they cut and run. I hope after this mess, people stop questioning why the government gets involved in Corporate America. Government needs to be involved to break up monopolies and keep corporations from becoming loan sharks. Funny how citibank and all of the reputable financial institutions tried to drive the payday loan guys out of business. It didn't work because when they crunched the numbers, they were no different.

It is enough for me to vote all Republicans out. Republicans are bad for the market. When Clinton was in office the DOW grew 221%. (3,242 on 1/20/93 when Clinton’s entered the White House and 10,588 when Clinton left on 1/19/01 or a gain of 27.6% per year). When Bush Jr. entered office the DOW was at 10,588 and now it is at 10,488. Bush Jr. decreased the DOW during his 8 years. Bush Sr. grew the DOW only 38%. The Clinton administration grew 22 million new jobs to our economy and the unemployment was 4.1% when he left. Now, the unemployment is at 6.1% and so many companies are in trouble now. By the way, Clinton left with a surplus. Bush Jr. has left us with debt.

Hmmm...sounds good to me! This also seems to be a GREAT reason for Mccain to try and cancel the VP debate...he needs to go save the day again....to quote Miss Lipstick..."thanks but NO THANKS!!!

Not only incumbents out But McCain who supposedly 'suspended' the campaign to go to Washington should also take a beating. He flopped as a leader.

After today's failed vote in congress, I think it's time to get all republicans out of office. I can't believe that our representatives, facing such an important piece of legislature, could get in front of the cameras and indicate that their feelings were hurt, so they let this bill fail. That just shows you what the republicans mean when they say America first. Yeah right. Boy do we need change, and not the kind that Sen. McCain gives lip service to. Wake up America, enough is enough.

Yes! Definately! If the representatives are such little children that they are willing to take a chance with my credit and the credit of all Americans because they took offense with what someone said, they have no business being in congress. In fact , they belong back in kindegarden! Bunch od babiesd!!!

The president should tell them all, no one goes home until this issue gets resolved, however long it takes. I mean post the guards and don't let them out.
I've never seen a better case for voting against the incumbent. I've listened to the speeches and seen the inaction. Definition of insanity; Voting the same way again and again and hoping for a different outcome.

Out with the bums first. Out with the Lobbiest Second, Then put term limits on all the new. Oh I forgot with out lobbiest they probly would not want to run for a second term.

i thought McCain went and fixed all this..ha.ha.. repubicans should all be voted out..glad i didn't buy a house i knew i couldn't afford..this is all politics and they need to get over themselves..

Jack,
I am confused as to why the Democrats are doing the heavy lifting to pass this bill. The election is one month off. They should sit back and wait for the Republicans to bring at least 60% of the votes needed to pass. Meanwhile they can continue to blame the Republicans for causing the meltdown.

Politics is the price we pay for democracy. If you're in the game, play the game.

Gustav, St. Croix, VI

The fact that we NEED a bailout is a better reason to vote them out. Good leaders sense what's ahead.

Better idea...just close congress...put up an out of business sign...sell the capitol...don't even have a congressional election. We can just appoint a commission if we need to get something done.

Jack,

I spent 30 years in the Navy. When an individual in a position of leadership did not do their job they were effectively fired, i.e., 'Relieved of Command for Loss of Confidence in Ability to Lead' I would like to see our 'Leaders' treated the same way. I hate to say that I feel we are without any competent leadership, it is time to clean house(s) and bring some fresh faces/intellect into the equation!

Vote all of them out!!!

Jack, The need to have a bailout is more than enough reason to vote these bums out. Think about it, if you don't do your job you are terminated, from fry cook to engineer. Accountability seems to be a "quaint" notion anymore in Washington. What a pickle we let these fools get us in.
Hiram Rapids, Oh.

If we cannot even resolve this gigantic mess in such precarious times, then not only should all the incumbents hit the road (preferably right behind John McCain), but we might consider doing away with a bi-partisan government and finding "a" group of intelligent people with the country's best interests at heart to be a single united government. I'm sick to death of all the mud-slinging, name-calling, pompousness and self-righteousness of politics. Maybe they all need to come down off the "hill" and really see what it's like to live on the Main Street they created!

Jack,
Funny, the GOP screwed it up, did away with regulation, gave their buddies millions of dollars on Wall Street, and now they are hiding their heads and refusing to vote for something that might help the people on Main Street. I hope everyone who can't get a mortgage, car loan or credit remembers the little weasels on Election Day. Does GOP stand for Gutless on Purpose?

Are not the top individuals that want this passed, the same one's that get campaign contributions from the one's on Wall Sreet? I am so tired of the "american people" getting treated like pre-schoolers. If they really want us to understand the implications of a failed bail-out, then they need to explain "everything" it entails. Until I have details, my vote is NO!

Hello Jack. Well so much for bi-partisan teamwork on the single most important vote of any of their political lifes. You could see it coming with that small band of republican politicians jocking to play politics . By the way wheres John McCains leadership now! I think that we should let this think sink into a depression that will make the great depression look like an economic boom. then we will see alot of these politicians voted out. Maybe then we can truly re build our country.

Jack,
There are many expert economists that say this is dire situation is not going to happen. Now that the bailout vote has failed in the House, we can now get some of these rich fat cats (private financing) to bail out this country's stock market. If they all banned together, they could save the American taxpayer. You know those millionaires and billionaires, wealthy movie stars, athletes, and others could save their country and the taxpayers that made them rich.
Why is this so difficult to understand.

These House Republicans are a national joke. The bill gets killed and they blame it on Nancy Pelosi's floor speech?? The party of tough National Security, dealers of death to Al Qaeda and the evil doers, get their feelings hurt from a middle aged woman from the dainty district of San Francisco. Huh. Go figure.

Say goodbye to them all; liberal and democrat incumbents alike. All share in the blame for either aiding and abetting the scams and scammers or failing to stop the the crimes against America. All of you have cooked your own goose. Remember everyone; my congressmen are just as lousy as your congressmen. No survivors.

This is financial terrorism, I saw it coming, don't people know that this whole political system is corrupt that they are all in it for themselves and forgot about the backbone of the economy the middleclass. Greed is still driving the system.

YES! I am a white 58 year old Catholic that couln't believe my eyes and ears. It is embarassing to think the world is watching the U.S. Congress making the most important decision to face this country ever, and they are acting like a bunch of junior high kids fighting on the playground. All of this while I am watching my retirement dissolve. YES, lets vote the bums out!

I don't know what is worse... the fact the bill didn't pass or that they are going home durnig the worst financial crisis in my lifetime before it is resolved for a holiday... I am sure God would understand... Leaving now is like a cop leaving a murder scene because his holiday started..... I think it is clear we need a new gov't across the board. Vote them out.

I don't understand why todays vote was even close on the "bail-out". 100% of the people were against this bail-out. If the politicians would read their own comments, they could pass a bill in a heart-beat with no bail-out. Where is the oversight over banks and corporations? Why are CEO's allowed to make such outlandish salaries and buy whatever they want at the shareholds expense? Why not "invest" in the People? Education, infrastructure, roads, health care, etc. Have the Government buy our mortgages and we repay the Government for what we owe at the same rate they give to the banks. These are just some of the things that should have been passed a long time ago. But, I urge everyone to contact their Congressman and Senator and let them know, "NO BAIL-OUT".

I'd vote out every person who voted against this bill. Of course we shouldn't have to pay this bailout, but you can thank those who have been for deregulation of banks and Wall Street, and those regulators who looked the other way, for the devastating mess we're in. The bill, while not perfect, would have kept at least the credit lines afloat for all of us who badly need it. The fools who voted against the bill don't seem to get it...it's the credit that needs to be kept going. Because of their stupidity, most of us everyday people may not only lose our savings, but businesses won't be able to meet their payrolls. So where will paychecks come from???? How will we pay the bills we need to pay for our very survival? This will hit Main Street hard.

The people yelling that Wall St. should have to crash and suffer for what they have done have no idea that the crash will affect all of us. And banks overseas will also fail. It's already starting to happen in Europe today. The only ones I really respect in Congress are Frank and Dodd. They at least showed that they understand the gravity of the situation and that they have an understanding of what's at stake here. Why weren't they, and we, told this was coming? Goodby, American Dream, at least for the foreseeable future. As for the Republicans, thanks, but no thanks.

I was unsure about who I would be voting for in the upcoming election until now. Playing politics and posturing with my future is abolustely not acceptable - and I will say that with my vote. Yes- Republicans get to packing!!! Obama/Biden 2008

I'm glad the bill didn't pass. Back to the drawing board people and get it right!

How about not voting them in ...
You've got 36 days to think about it.

There has NEVER been a better time to throw out all the congressional vultures and put in an entire cadre of new reps who actually take their oath of office seriously and truly represent the people who elect them. If anyone wants change, NO INCUMBENTS it is the ONLY way to start. And clearly from every thing Mr. McCain said in the debate, he would continue to run the government by the same proven failed Bush policies; he could have been no more clear.
Therefore, "If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy."--Thomas Jefferson

When America was attacked on 911 the dow plunged 500 points. Now it seems as if we are attacked again even worst, by washington. The dow has dropped over 700 points so far. Bin laden attacks our infrastructure,Washington and Bush attacks our pockets! Theres no difference.

Jack,
The problem with 'voting the bums out', especially thid close to the election, is that we run the risk of voting more bums in. Still, it's a chance worth taking. Especially the House Republicans, whose action, or inaction today was reckless and warrants no redemption.
Don
Dallas, TX

The supposedly intelligent people in Washington need to quit playing the blame game. Forget about whether you are Republican or Democrat. At this point in time, does it really matter who is at fault? Let's come to some sort of resolution so we can stop the bleeding.

Jack, I think the republicans rejected this bill to get away from Bush to save their jobs, excpet now voters will play the role of 'wall street'. I guess the sheep are running away from the shepard!

Unfortunately throwing every incumbent out would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water so to speak.

The incumbents that need to be thrown out are the ones who supported and are responsible for all the deregulation that caused this mess.

The American public also has to step up to the plate and get over their political affiliations and vote for someone who is not in lock step with the buffoons who engineered this crisis for their corporate buddies.

We have needed term limits for a long time. The next best thing is to vote out the incumbents. What we witnessed today was the complete failure of Political System in Washington. The system is broken, and we need a fresh, young approach in the House and Senate. The Founding Fathers never intended for our elected officials to make it a career. Send them all home.

I have been advocating that for 2 years now. Get rid of the incumbents v oted out. We need to get rid of the ancient representatives and vote in new fresh minds, new ideas. You cannot run the government with politics in the fore front.

Let's get rid of all of them. Bring in new people with sense and elect Barrack Obama to change how business is done. Not the fake change that Sen McCain is alluding to, but actual change. We need to clean house.

Yes Jack,

They people that voted against the bill should all be voted out of office! Why isn't the Congress working until the crisis is finished? The holiday is not an authorized holiday is it?

I hope so. I just checked my 401K and it is down almost 50%. Retirement next year is impossible now although I have some serious disabilities and find it painful to work. I'll vote straight dem for the first time in my life and I hope everyone else doing the same.

....and the CEO's responsible for this mess to serve severe jail time. We shouldn't be mentioning compensation packages for this lot. These are supposedly the brightest minds that have created this mess. Scary Jack, very scary indeed!

I lost my job today because of this mess caused by the predatory lenders. The last thing i want to see is wall street getting bailed out. However, with the bail-out bill being defeated i'm looking at a long period of un-employment.

Jack;

What happened today is insane. Those Republicans who pulled this stunt are directly responsible for the aftermath of this crisis. Words alone canot describe my outrage, loathing and contempt for these idiots. They don't care for this country, only for their stupid ideology. I vote a mixed ballot, for the person. This year I will vote a straight Dem. ticket, even when voting against a friend, but as a protest it is worth it.
Anna Luhman
Hays,Kansas

Sticks and stone may break your bones and name will never hurt you ...but the truth will set you free! Thank you Pelosi!

THE FED JUST PUT ANOTHER $630 BILLION INTO THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM ... DID NO ONE NOTICE?
No Accountability No Bail out.
The stocks will go to their real value, not the inflated valuation created by the market makers.

Jack, how many of the Republicans who voted against this bill are up for RE-ELECTION? Are they trying to save their jobs?

Why does Madam Speaker Pelosi think that it is a partisan issue. The fact of the mater is that the American people as a whole do not trust the congress to do the right thing. I would bet that the vast majority of the Democrats voted against the majority of the voters that they represent.

If all incumbents were voted out, then we would have a Republican majority in both Houses. Somehow I doubt that is what you want.

I'll vote against anyone who votes FOR this trash! No bailout-period!

If address the root cause of the financial crisis......

deregulation.

Then vote out all those in favor of deregulation.

I have been watching the polls asking "should Congress approve the $700 billion dollar bailout" since last week. A majority of people were voting no! Some polls were in fact 70% no. This is due to most people not understanding what was at stake. They were emotional about what was seen as a "bailout" for wall street, and did not understand the crisis that the credit market is in right now and how it will affect them. They have been calling their Representative's for days and begging them to vote no.

Should incumbent's be voted out? Every one that is up for reelection, and who voted no today, absolutely! They let emotional constituents determine their vote, instead of listening to those with the expertise who understood what failure of this bill will mean in the long term.

Could somebody PLEASE explain to me why the Democrats are trying to clean up the Republican mess. This occur under their president.

Jack, In the words of my dad when I would pass gas at the table:

OUT! OUT!! OUT!!!!!

Gladys

If we really want change in Washington, then we all need to vote the incumbants out. If we have to start fresh on Wall Street, then Main Street has to start with new representatives and senators. That is how I intend to vote in November even before the bail out failed.

PITCHFORK

I think they should stay on holiday!!!!!

Who is culpable? The rest of us are responsible for the decisions that we make in life. Why should the companies, execs, politicians responsible for this mess get off w/o repercussions?? Bush says "oops, I need $70 billion" and we're supposed to act like he and his cronies shouldn't have been monitoring anything during their tenure in office. I don't think all incumbents are responsible but there are specific individuals responsible for this mess. They should be held responsible. I can understand why these companies have to be bailed out (because of the idiocy of the pols and Wall Street) but I don't think we should be left holding the bag (unless the people actually responsible are also made to pay their share: whether monetarily or for their criminal negligence.

It seems a shame that Nancy Pelosi had to make a political statement, and as a result, the Republicans voted no. Both party's candidates should be defeated en masse. Send the bums home to see if they can find a job. Selling apples would ber good experience for them.

It is time to vote all the incumbants who want to blame each other instead of doing the business they promised to do when elected. I think we whould put a freeze on their wages until they start doing their job for us.

No Jack only incumbents who have supported and enabled Bush should loose their seats. The crisis america is in today can be laid right at the feet of the Bush Administration and those who have fervently supported him republicans and democrats alike.
Greed and deregulation are the bane of financial stablility in our country and now the taxpayers must reward those who benefited from Bush's policies in order to save our economy.

Its hard to believe that Congress could not come through for the American people today. It is apparent that there are no American leaders in Washington today only Democrats and Republicans. Should the slate be wiped clean? In a word... No. There are plenty of Congressmen who worked hard this past weekend to get something done. However the inability of the leaders in the Congress to get a bill passed that we desperately need in order to sustain our way of life is frightening, nevermind trying to get other legislation passed that will actually advance America's standing in the world. A call to all of those who consider themselves leaders in the senate. Resign!

Jack: apparentely the Repubs got there feelings hurt from Pelosi, GROW UP REPUBS!! this is a serious matter, and some would rather vote nay then fix the problem, meanwhile,,America is even further on the down spiral, with the dow at -700 today, thousands of companies cannot pay there employees because a choice few had there feeling hurt, all the more reason to vote Obama, time to clean house in Washington.............

Since that was my plan .... But my democratic rep, actually voted "NO" ! She just saved herself with me ...This was a bad , rushed plan that did not address the real issues anyway! ANYTHING this current President wants , must be questioned . Those fools haven't gotten it right yet!!!!!

Is the failure of the bailout reason enough to vote all incumbents out of office?

YES, YES, YES!!!!! Were they worried about the American People during their time of crisis.....no.....they kept saying it was their fault because they took out loans they couldn't afford. Now the fat cats are feeling the pinch in their stock portfoilios and NOW ITS A CRISIS!!!! Hopefully they all have sleepless nights until the election wondering if they will be voted in. Then they will know how it feels to be Middle or Lower Class Americans!!!!

Your question assumes the No Banker Left Behind bill should have been passed. My Rep, a Democrat, had the guts to vote "No," as many of her constituents wished. I don't want her voted out.

So... 67% of House Republicans voted *against* the president's bill.
BUT, instead of defending their "no" vote; instead of saying, "Hey, we think it's a bad bill, and the taxpayers oppose it," they get defensive and *blame* the Democrats for the bill's failure!
Doesn't seem to make much sense, does it? (- frm Nashville)

Good thing McCain went to Washington to make sure he could use that great leadership and get his party to vote for this bill....what a joke, time to usher in a new crowd.

these guys won't be happy until we loose our jobs,homes, investments,and health.then we will be a 3rd. world nation and get a .50 cent an hour job,live in a cardboard box,be broke,and be sick.

People do not understand the consequences of voting against the bail out. This could have a riple effect all across America.They need to pass the bailout.

McCain calling for the cancellation of last Friday’s debate and announcing he was suspending his campaign to fix this problem that is in his words a "fundamentally strong" economy. It is clear McCain doesn't have support of his party because voting this down they had to know it would cost him the election. If he doesn't have support of his party then he is no better than a lame duck president. Why should Citizens support any incumbent or nominee that is wiping out our countries financial system. McCain, "You Just Don't Get It" in your own words.

Serious voters "know" who is doing their job, and who isn't; so they do not all need to go–just the obstructionists in both parties. Let me be clear.

Lawmakers maneuvered politically, worrying more about re-election than doing their job. Complex economic strategies need to be implemented now without bi-partisan finger pointing–there will be plenty of time for that before Nov 4. This inability to reach consensus on a plan is no way to restore confidence to the world or the citizens of the USA that we (as a nation) can be counted on during a crisis or in any way considered to be a leader of other nations. Lincoln, Nebraska

Why is everyone using the $700 Billion figure. It starts at $1 TRILLION. You are forgetting the $350 Billion bailout of Freddie and Fannie that we've already been suckered into.

Vote the imcumbents out and IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT. This is like rome burning whilenero fiddled

Somebody's feelings were hurt, oh my, let's kiss and make up. You know now is the time for McCain to stop his campaign and get down there and talk to his cronies. If you have an emergency do you still go on holiday leave? I have countless times given up a holiday to help my company. Republicans what is the real reason for the "NAY"?

Jack,

The Republicans have got to be kidding, right? They are blaming their votes on the bill because their feelings were hurt by a partisan speech by a Democrat?

That can't be the first time the Republican's heard a partisan speech by a Democrat. The Republicans need to vote what's good for America.

I think this should be an easy win for 1. the democrats and 2. For Obama.

McCain being the republican he is, is failing to take responsibility for his comments about the democrats instead of being judgemental, he should have shut up and now its " his" presidency in trouble...not Obama who said to "calm down" McCain panics too much. He is too lose a canon!

The house senate and Congress should be all blue come this election year!

MAYBE. These people are obviously too stupid to save our economy!
Goodness! All this over a little partisan politics. I wish they would all just shut up and actually DO something!

What difference would it make. Besides, what happens next is the banks hold the credit gun to the American people's head until they get that money. My question is "where are all the billions of dollars in quarterly profits gone? God knows we get reminded every 3 months about how much money these institutions make.

I am appalled that our representatives in Congress do not see that this is not about bailing out Wall Street. It is about keeping this country out of a Depression. We can all point fingers at who caused the problems. We can all rail against absurd golden parachute deals for corporate executives. However, those are not the issues right now. Right now it is about avoiding a total world economic collapse.

I am glad that my representative had the foresight to vote for the plan. I just cannot wait for a phone call from those who are running for re-election and want a contribution but voted for a Depression. It will take all the restraint I can muster to be civil.

I hope the Congress has the good sense to stay in session until this mess gets resolved. Otherwise, none of those who voted to create a Depression deserve to be re-elected, regardless of their party.

All GOP Incumbents

The Republicans who didn't vote for this "rescue" were upset about what Nancy Pelosi said???????? Are you kidding me???? Talk about "You can't handle the truth".............I hope they are happy, now. What a bunch of irresponsible CRY BABIES, they really had the good of the country on their minds...............
Lois

I am an Independent in Mi. I am furious that house Republicans are more worried about pandering than the good of the country. But if this is how they really feel, then why not come up with a workable alternative instead of all the lies. And then to hear McCain blame Obama for not coming up with more votes leaves me speechless. Sort of how I felt after watching Palin in the Couric interview.

All those shorsited people who did not vote for the "bailout" Are they going to bail out my 401 k t hat has swan dived? No they wont...so out they go and McCain...what leadership he showed...

Yes and no Jack. Everyone shouldn't be blamed for the failure of the plan. Two thirds of Dems voted yes for the plan the other party did not. There's a major difference in who is looking out for the security and balance of the American economy. Is there an economic crisis, I think not but to make sure the economy stays afloat the bill would have been helfful to approve.

Yes. As an independent voter in Charlotte, NC I am compelled to understand who is in office now and vote them out. I do not think I will be voting for any Rupublicans.

Jack, this is possibly the most unbelieveable administration ever, they drive us into bankruptcy, nobody will mention Iraq, which has cost us over ten billion a month for how long? Then we have the GOPERS come out and say, we didn't vote for this cause Nancy hurt our feelings, you have McCain saying Palin is being picked on! My God my fifteen year old grandson is more mature then these people. My retirement is tanking fast, I'm about six years away, that's all gone now.These people shouldn't be elected to dog catcher. People that think this was simply a bill to bailout the wealthy better look at their retirement accounts! time to put the money in the mattress, I don't trust any of these slugs!

Yes, they obviously are thinking about themselves and not their constituents. The average Joe doesn't understand all of the financial ins and outs of this crisis but Congress does – so help the people by doing the right thing. Instead of doing what is best for America, they are afraid of losing their seats in this election. Boo hiss – shame on each and every one of them who voted down the bailout bill! Stop pointing fingers and do what you were put in office to do – represent the people's best interests.

While many of us are out working our low wage jobs to pay rent , food highest gas prices in history and need to see a doctor but cant afford it , and many others have the luxury of watching the TV and watching the market collapse on every one . I got to ask ,

Where were all the values for America prior to this economic disaster ? The President's appointed guardians of Americas economy turned a blind eye to the law and the regulations FOR 8 YEARS , and now were supposed to bail them out?
Is Bush insane ? He created this mess now he;s angry at congress and the American people who have said daily now for three weeks by the millions enough is enough !

It was once as much a privledge to be in business as it was to have a job , It was once patriotic to make it in america , buy it in america and and believe it or not there were many of INTEGRITY in this goverment and on Wall Street . When the dust settles , if even one wall street financial professional goes to work abroad they should be banned from ever doing business with Wall Street.

It is possible that the bailout failed because House members were hearing from very angry constituents who do not want to bail out Wall Street. Voters want someone to do something for them, not the guys on Wall Street. If the financial community was smart enough to come up with some of the shaky practices they were using, why can't they be smart enough to bail themselves out?

the democrats could have passed this bill themselves. why are they blaming anyone else for their lack of leadership? they had 95 of their own members jump ship.

Jack,
I agree, but at the very least.....
It was totally immature of Pelosi to do what she did as the third in line to be President-This speaker's GOTTA GO!!!
McCain for committing to get this done changing his mind to go debating and leaving Washington without getting the Bill done and then rushing to make a stupid statement-He's GOTTA GO!!!
Boehner, Canter, Blunt for their stupid excuses and lack of leadership-they GOTTA GO!!!
The 12-13 House republicans that changed their minds need to be named for their "feelings first" attitude-They GOTTA GO!!!
As for Bush....well he is finally almost outta here!!!!

Yes Jack.
This is just another example of the brilliant leadership of George W. Bush.

W's fault for running in the first place and the electorate's fault for voting for him......and all the Republican incumbents.

Nothing but Democrats and Independents from now on people! Pay attention!

If voting this measure down will finally drill fiscal responsibility into the heads of corporate greedmongers and fossilized supply-side zealots, then it was the right thing to do. The fact that congressional republicans turned their back to the President they worked so hard to protect for the last eight years is clue enough: The game is over, and these guys are afraid for their jobs. Free advice: Admit that Reaganomics is finally dead, and adopt an economic policy that addresses the needs of the country as a whole, not a handful of modern-day aristocrats. That, my Republican friends, is "putting country first."

I think there have been many more reasons prior to these to get rid of most of the people in Congress.

I suggest to vote only the incumbent leaders out of office; these are those who created and enforced the organizational culture the leads to failure. This creates opportunity for new leaders to rise.

I am confused and have been quite some time now. Maybe it's good that I don't have any money. One thing i know for sure though is Johnny has come "lately" and is living up to his cyberspace name that we so affectionately call, Sen. John McSHAME!! Take a bow sir.

Hi Jack,
I am so TIRED of all of the finger pointing back and forth. I'm sick of political parties. ALL OF THEM. This is not entirely a Republican THING. It is on BOTH sides of the street. BOTH parties are being jerks and not wanting to work TOGETHER. They do nothing but point fingers and undermine the other simply because it's the opposite party. I'm sick of it all. I'm sick of ALL Democrats and Republicans. They ALL need to go.

Of course! I've been touting to everyone I can to vote out encumbents as a matter of practice. If all of us voted out the encumbents more frequently, it would greatly reduce the "old boy" networks and the establishments of Capitol Hill "cliques". It would also, I think, greatly reduce the influence of lobbists and special interests groups. Do you think they would try so hard if they had to keep spending the same money over and over to keep their respective nests "feathered"? I also think it would be healthy to have frequent infusions of "new blood" in congress to bring new eyes and new ideas. Some of those "old boys" are still approaching 21st century problems with 20th century solutions...and how's that working out for us?

Jack,
I can't believe the house republicans are so sensitive that a speech
by Nancy Pelosi would stop them from approving what's best for the country. What ever happened to "sticks and stones.." It's okay. We should throw everyone who voted against this bill out. I am sitting here
watching my retirement that I've worked so hard for over these last 30 years just melt away. I'm not "wall street" but what happens there surely affects me on main street. I have a kist of the nay sayers, and trust me, if any of them are in my district, I'm voting them out!!!

oh God thanx for not being republican, is this how they can think best for their country?

I think voting all incumbants out of office is exactly the kind of knee-jerk panic reaction that our economy cannot afford throughout this crisis.

If anything, we need to evaluate the candidates that we vote for with an unprecedented amount of scrutiny, so that we ensure that the lawmakers and executive officers that carry us forward will help us climb out of this crisis.

Please, please do not make the knee jerk reaction that could drive this country into a deep depression.

OK...let's get this straight. Republicans get their feelings hurt by Pelosi. So...they vote against their own President to get even? This is the thinking that got us in this mess.

You don't pay banks to lose money. They need to fix their problems. Bailout average Americans and help people save their homes.

This is the Democrat's fault and Bush's fault. Have a problem, throw money at it.

Thank the few democrats and majority of republicans who voted the correct way.

Jack,
Everyone needs to calm down. I am sure the highly qualified , ready in a heart beat Sarah Palin can fix all of this.

This is unbelievable! All incumbents who did NOT for this bill should be voted out. They are playing politics with the lives of American people. The problem is that most Americans really do not understand how this will effect them. They are angry thinking about the "bail-out" for Wall Street. Besides many Republicans kept saying
the econonmy is strong–even saying we are "whiners" because we're worried about the economy. Unfortunately many in Washington don't even understand what's going on. They think it's politics as usual. Definitely get rid of whoever said they were upset about Nancy Pelosi's comments. Please-GROW UP!

Today is prime example of how our represents feels, if it does not benifit them, they do not want to do anything about it. We should remind them they work for us and not for themselves. I say get them out, give some else the chance.

Perry
New York

Yes, unseat all incumbents—but because they helped cause this mess, not because they failed to pass a flawed bill, authored by he who brought you Iraq, and WMD! They took lobbyist funds, looked the other way, and went on vacation. Time for painful, but long overdue revolution.

No, it is good to see that congress listens to the people. Why should the average American bailout rich and greedy Wall Street? Why should American taxpayer’s issue a blank check with no oversight or regulation? The greed of Wall Street got us into this mess. Let the greed of Wall Street get itself out. The average American didn’t cause this mess. You allowed Main Street to go bankrupt, allow Wall Street to go bankrupt. Trickle down theory is a myth and we don’t want any part of it. The White House has cried wolf to many times.

As a concerned American, I hope so.

Send Bush packing, and punish the market conservatives for wiping out my folks' retirement.

I'm a college student who may now have to join ROTC to pay for college.

Keep me from going to Iraq. Keep the country's savings solvent. Remove the culprit party from office.

maybe not all,
I seen by the vote some rep. actually know what's going on. I haven't yet heard from McCain, the maverick. Maybe after his presidency bid is shot down once again and he loses his seat in the senate he can be a beer truck driver and work like the rest of us.

Jack, Republicans OUT Democrats IN

Throw them all out and lets take the smartest 1,000 people in India to take over. If they can take over our tech support jobs in the U.S. lets give it a try. Our current representatives are a disgrace to allow what occured today.

If the incumbents are not voted out after this (yes another) monumental failure inspired by partisan politics,it will be evident to my deep sorrow that our collective IQ is down to idiotic levels

Yes...Yes...Yes...get all the incumbents out of the government NOW...Unfortunately when they go they still get their pensiions and their health benefits. Talking about a golden parachute! If I get fired I do not get any benefits to take along!

I have absolutely NO FAITH in our government to help out our economy! We may be past the point of rescue now. Did I seriously hear that right that one member of the house said that he did not like the way he was approached? Are we in high school here? Good grief!

Jack:

Vote out all the Republicans who made this mess working with their
Wall Street cronies.

Now we're in a economic free fall the Republicans want to jump ship and blame the Democrats for their mess.

I wouldn't dump everyone...that would be tossing the baby out with the bath water. But I'm interested in hearing the alternative plan that's been developed by those legislators who voted "no." Surely they wouldn't have rejected this plan without another option. Or would they?

Joyce

Jack< yes vote them out!! I am sick of the grandstanding that is going on to garner votes for the upcoming election, it is a clear demonstration of the idiots holding the torch to be the voice of the people. Does anyone have the expertise necessary to PROTECT THE PEOPLE. GOD HELP US!!!!

Personally I think that we should take all the politicians and let them have the same salary as what a normal middleclass person makes. And to boot let them have the same high taxes we have to live with also. Right now I personally believe that there is not one politician that is worth having around. Everyone up there is more worried about losing their position rather than worrying about what is the reason they were voted in for. And that is for the people. All of the politicians that I have seen up there are busy accusing each other and not worried about what all this is doing to the working people. To hell with the big companies, they are the ones that got us here in the first place. And so now we ahve to bail them out in addition to paying for everything that we have to have to live on. Where does it stop????

I decided long ago not to vote for an incumbant. Now I am more sure than ever that this is the right decision. Whether a Republican or Democrat, votes today followed who is up for re-election. Maybe rather than discussing voting for incumbants we should be discussing whether there SHOULD be incumbants. Look at the entitlements that were attached to the bailout. I don't think we would be discussing entitlements if those in congress only got one term. I'm disgusted at the greed–not just on Wall Street but with the people who represent me.

I've been voting against incumbents for the past twelve years. The founding fathers never intended for this to be a lifetime career – our representatives were to go to Washington, SERVE THEIR COUNTRY for a term, and then GO HOME.

Long tenure only insures that they will become more and more indentured to special interests, and spend more and more time fund-raising to get reelected.

This current crisis is sad, sad, sad, but until we get rid of all these career politicians of EITHER PARTY, nothing will change.

Hi Jack,

While I am planning to vote for Obama, I thought it unfair of Pelosi to say what she said today as much of this started with the Clinton Administration repealed the Glass-Steagall act of 1933, thus freeing financial institutions "to innovate in the new economy," in Clinton's words - and also "to self-destruct, taking down with them the general economy and international confidence in the US banking system," financial analyst Nomi Prins adds. Agree with you, they all failed us.

It is apparent that our country's leadership does not have the best interest of their constituents on their agendas. We are facing a greater depression now than what we experienced in the 1920s. We have to do something now in order to give our children half a chance of enjoying some of the freedoms that the U.S. once offered.

You Bet!!!! Everyone one of them that sees this an a game of mix this and match that should be out on their ear. We are talking about futures of average people who don't have the perks these so called special representatives of our states do. MONEY...they think of lining their own pockets and not about rescuing our whole country. Give me a break...I have no use for people that won't work together to unite a country. It's always bickering, mouthing, gripping like a bunch of kids. If they aren"t going to grow up, let's put some people with some sense in office that know what it's like to struggle.

Throw out all the incumbents? Nahhh. Let's keep the Governor of Alaska. Someone has to watch those pesky Russians.

From North Carolina my answer is:

YES! YES! YES! And is there anyway we can get rid of George W. Bush before the next election!!!!!!! P.S. take John McCain and Sarah Palin with you!!!!!!!!

I've heard the partisan reasons why the financial crisis exists and still don't know who or what was at the root cause. It is apparent that the majority of us who follow the rules were opposed to balling out the unfair lenders and those who got loans when they knew they couldn't pay them. The paralysis that exists in congress on both sides continues to this day. Vote them all out and get some common sense people in there.

Fire all of them. This do nothing congress and others before them including those under the Clinton Administration are all guilty of creating this finacial melt down. So let them pay the price along with the leaders of the failed finacial institutions.

Yes, if they voted against the bailout, we should vote against them. We should recognize that there is reason attached to madness sometimes. McCain saw that the economy took 40 of 90 minutes in the debate with Obama that was billed as a debate on foreign policy. Because Palin can not go toe-to-toe with Biden on foreign affairs, McCain has stacked the deck for her so that the economy will be the focus. She is a Governor and the economy is her strong suit. We need to see that McCain will stop at nothing to win. So much for "country first." That was wan empty campain slogan by McCain anyway. He needs to be revise it to "winning first, then the country."

Yes Jack....This is a disgrace and dishonor too the US....

Wake up! 95 Democrats voted against the bill. Quit with the Republican witch hunt. We have an American problem, and moving to a socialist state is not the answer. Thank God the 95 joined with the 133 Republicans to save the country from an insane solution.

Have we even considered eliminating the capital gains tax altogether and letting the market correct itself!

No member of congress should be elected into office again. The gun is at their heads and they failed to come through for the country. So much for a government by the people. Why can't Mr. Maverick the great John Mccain that suspended his campaign get the GOP together. Why did he even go to Washington? We need an all new congress with all new people that understand the concept that they are working for the American people. It's unbelievable that depression is still in our economic vocabulary these days.

In the midst of this mess there could be a silver lining...the death of the Republican Party!

Yes, but only the republican incumbents. Their history of greed, and the cavalier attitude that persists in this party is destroying America. Their platform is anti-tax, anti-charity, anti-anything; take nothing from us and give nothing to those who have less. They are and have been the party who looks out for the wealthy; they have no compassion for the average citizen who isn't, and if people die from lack of healthcare–so what–they don't care! Spare me their party retoric, which is a pack of lies. If you are poor, or a minority–good luck–you're on your own. The people who are going to suffer from the bailout failure is going to be enormous, and the ones who will suffer the most are the lower and middle class.

Thanks,
Hugh from California

The Republican administration was at the helm when this happened. My understanding of the situation is very clear here. The Republicans still and never have cared about the little folks and their lack of participation demonstrates their continued lack of concern that should come with the responsibilty they have been entrusted. It is a God send the elections are near so we the people can effect a change in our leadership ( or lack of ).

Wheres the unity that the democrats say they have, sure didn't show today. No unity or the bill would have passed. I am more and more ashamed to think I ve been voting democrat.

I say give the country back to the Indians, otherwise the Chinese will inherit it....

Hey Jack,
Look at your own Fast Poll. 54% not in favor of the Bail Out. All the talking heads who are astonished that it did not pass demonstrates how out of touch these experts are with the population. Most of the USA do not have an adequate retirement plan, kids in private school, or job security.
The middle class has been already decimated, and people consider themselves poor or crushed by debt. If no Bail Out means a paycheck is missed or a month's rent is skipped it is no big deal. We have already been through 2 job changes and 3 moves in the last 10 years. The poor and lower middle class working people are snickering as those who though they were doing well get to adapt to a little personal financial crisis. We are useed to adapting to hardship. Welcome to the club. This is a victory for the poor.

Jack,
The answer is yes. I think the Amercian people have had enough and this would certainly be a wakeup call for both Democratics and Republicans. We are supposed to have a government that should be keeping the best interests of the American people in the forefront, and obviously these people in Washington just like to collect their nice salaries and only care about themselves. If they are not going to work together then it cetainly is time to get someone in there that will.

Mike

Yeah ned, lets just let the rich get richer and to heck with the working stiffs. Letting these guys run around with 0 regulation is like sitcking a fat kid in a dougnut shop as a guard after hours. sure some stuff might be left but you will still have one big dude who can fit out the door! Everyone needs to get over the whole "screw the bankers" thing. if not we are all going to get it in the rear. Just check the markets....they are going down with the quickness

Fire all of them they are the ones that created the problem and tried to stick the people with a 700 billion bill to insure the wall street billionaires can still eat lobster while the people starve better yet lets have a other surge in Iraq and send all the incumbents

"The Democrats mustered over 60% ... to vote for the bailout. The Republicans only got 33% ... to vote for it." The Dems are responsible for this problem that goes back to the 90's. Repubs were mostly on board until Pelosi (the idiot) spoke very partisan and tried once more to trash Bush. Can't she learn to keep her mouth shut? She could have waited until after the vote.

They're disgraceful, all of them. They never believed for one minute they had to serve those that voted them in and this is a wonderful example as to why they don't care about our country or it's hardworking citizens. Ego, pride and greed are what the American people are getting in return for promises of service. May the deity of your choice help us all, we'll need it.
Don
Amboy, Illinois

John Boehner are you kidding blaming Nancy Pelosi for the Republican vote in the house because she wasn't nice !!! For the love of god this is one of the biggest moments in U.S history with global ramifications and your reply was that the "Democrats were rude so we are going to stick it to the men & women on the on the street. Shame man, shame on you and the whole Republican party. Go play some golf an get out of my face I got to go to work if I still have one...

Thanks God the bill was nixed. Until the country and citizenry start living within their means, the economy will always be a problem. How long do you think the country can go on with such massive deficits?

I am not for this bailout. and am glad it failed. If the government wants to borrow this amount of money, then let them send 10,000,000 families 100,000 each. We will get economy back by spending it back into the market and not have to "borrow" more money personally.
Wake up America, governments or businesses can not continue to run on a "credit" economy

Do people understand that they may not be getting a paycheck or lose their job. They fraud that may have been involved is not going to change. Anyone who participated in illegal activities can be jailed at a later date. You need your job now. Kiss your retirement goodbye if this keeps up you won't have one

Jack, the "capitalist system" is flawed. It has always been flawed.

Since the Federal Reserve system was installed in 1913, greed and corruption has reined supreme.

I never in my wildest dreams believed I would agree with any Republican point of view, but WOW ...they are the ones who stood up to Wall Street and the insidious Federal Reserve.

Let them eat cake.

Jack, I agree with you. What happen with country first? now, its my feeling being hurt – who's going to help me – I do not have job for a while

From the Sunshine State:

The bailout failure is yet another of a long line of Republican economic/political disasters over the past 8 years!

VOTE THE MEMBERS OF THE FRINGE MINORITY OUT!

First, John McCain (a senator) really had no business inserting himself in House business and should have waited to see what form the bill would take if and when it moved from the House to the Senate. His antics were "over the top" and misplaced.

Jack – the Republicans have clearly accepted the fact that come November 4th, their candidates are going down in flames.
Therefore, their intent is to exacerbate the economic meltdown, just so that President-elect Obama and a Democratic congress are handed an insurmountable mess. No, we shouldn't throw out the babies with the bathwater. Just the Republicans.

All incumbents ahould be voted out and there should be a 2 term limit on the house and senate just like the president. Maybe then they wouldn't need to concentrate so hard on being re-elected and they couldn't get their hands so deeply into the cookie jar in that short of a time.

I think that we need a clean sweap of them all. I think the only person that can help us change the greed and politics is Obama. Will it take every American to be standing in a soup line to understand that the Republicans can not lead anymore. We need new people and new ideas!

Vote out incumbents? Wasn't that the plan anyway. Like we really needed another reason.

The fact that Henry Paulson came from Wall St means
there is a conflict of intrest in the White House..So throw
him out with all the other crooks in the Bush administration.

The problem with no bailout is that it is not the bankers who will suffer. Sure the bailout is a difficult pill to swallow – no one wants to reward stupidity and greed, but what happens when these banks etc. fail? Who do you think will feel the repercussions? Middle class America.

Jack, the only real incumbent we need to vote out of power is the Republican administration that started all this mess. At least the Democrats are trying to fix the problem while the NOpublican party obstructs any tough solutions to solve the mess they made.

I don't know whats right or wrong but all our saveing are invested and were retired, I have twin grandaughter that want to go to college, why didn't they call in some experts like college professiors in finance to help out with this problem, our retirement will be gone after working for over 36 years. vote them all out , how could any of the senators or congess men care about us they have gotten millions from wall street oil companys, and every other lobbiest there is

Approximately 40% of BOTH parties jumped ship. If you are blaming either party individually for this one vote, you are a FLAKE. Throw them all out (I've said for 20 years). INDEPENDENT Majority here !!!!

Does anyone know if John McCain is planning on resuspending his campaign and going back to Washington to make an even bigger mess of things?

Anyone who voted against this bill should be impeached immediately and tried for treason. They clearly care more about getting re-elected than they do in our retirement plans and the financial health of their country. Simply disgraceful.

Now I understand my father's attitude after experiencing the Great Depression. He hardly ever voted for another Republican for the rest of his life. Can you link us to the voting record for all members.

Adults accept responsiblity for their actions. Unfortunally it seems, like children they want to blame someone else even though they were all in the room together at the time the wild party was taking place.
Next to George Bush, Nancy Pelosi has insured her place in American History as yet another of the worst offerings to our country.

Jack, Neither the democrats or the republican have clean hands in this disaster. But, these conservative republicans were so vocal in their support of George Bush in 2000 and 2004. They supported Bush in pushing through a Patriot Act that diminishes our freedom and they supported Bush in an unwise war. These conservative republicans have quietly watched Bush and other supplysiders destroy our economy. Then, on the biggest economic issue of our times they all of a sudden refuse to listen to their president. How I have to sit and watch all that I have work for disappear before my eyes. The republicans need to stop talking about "Country first" they are really just a bunch of self-centered politicians trying to win votes at the expense of America. Yes, I am ready to kick out all of the incumbents (democrats and republicans), but ESPECIALLY THE REPUBLICANS. I WILL BE VOTING EARLY!!!!

Ralph in Ohio

Hell, yes! We should vote against every incumbent at every election. Oh, wait! Couldn't we accomplish the same goal with term limits? How about one term each for the President, Vice President and Senators, and two terms for members of the House?

I'm not a huge supporter of the bill since it is unchartered territory. However with the revised provisions, and a little prayer, I felt a little more comfortable and let the chips fall where they may.

But this yanking the American people around in the midst of this crisis is unforgivable. And then to really insult our intelligence they want to blame the defeat on Pelosi's speech? And Obama too...because even though he is sneered at for not having enough experience, he has in a matter of hours become part of the Democratic "Leadership", along with Pelosi and Reid.

Throw, throw, throw the bums out...enough is enough already.

Yes, no, who cares?

The problem is the American voter. Just skimming the responses I found I think three who talk about incumbents up for reelection. Its especially funny when "every one that is up for reelection, and who voted no today, absolutely". Its the US House, they are all up for reelection. If the public has no clue how our system works, how can they possibly cast an informed vote?

People have been buying what they could not afford on credit for years. Sooner or later, it had to crash. I say, let it crash. Maybe the younger generation will learn that you can't buy something you don't have the money for. You save for it. You work for it. You aren't ENTITLED to it.

Politicians should be voted OUT, Those with American's best interest at heart should be voted IN!

Jack,
The blatant disregard of this elected body to act for the protection of the citzens that voted them into office is the final example of why we should change out this whole incompetent group, both democrats and republicans. In addition they should be permanently barred from holding any public positions as well as having any dealings with any governmental body.

Disgusted Citizen

140 Democrats voted for it
95 Democrats voted against it
65 Republicans voted for it
133 Republicans voted against it
1 Republican didn't vote

More Democrats were for it than Republicans. Yet the media and the McCain camp spin it the other way. Facts are facts.

It is Bush who failed to show leadership and unify his own party behind the bail out . (A bail out whose description doesn't even mention its importance: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers, and for other purposes)

McCain is the steward of Bush, and should have been working closely with him to insure Republicans were unified. If that had happened – the bail out may have happened.

Politics= Art of Compromise.

Please tell Madame Pelosi. I can't beleive that she would be so arrogant as to alienate the people she needs to help with the crisis.

She needs to be removed from the position of SOH.!

Is it fair? How can you even ask that question? If it were up to me I would not only strip them naked of their undeserving power but also drag every last one of them from the back of my truck until this crisis turns around.

Do not pass this bill and vote them all out. This is the wrong bill for the country and they are all wrong for this country as well.

Jack,
Yes, I say get rid of them all. I can't believe the House Republicans are crying like a bunch of two year olds who don't know how to play well with others. Who cares if they didn't like Nancy Pelosi's speech. It's not about you Congress ~ It's about US TAXPAYERS whose 401k's just tanked, thanks to the Republicans! Congress needs to cancel their holiday and stay locked in their chamber until they pass this thing. It's unbelievable how inept our Congress is.

not just the incumbants, all of them along with the presidential candidents. none are listening to us. the press seems to be with the approval of this bill that none of us want. it must be to many of you are deeply invested.

McCain's attempt to change the subject backfires on him yet again, when will he learn that using George Bush's campaign tactics wouldn't make him look like change, just more of the same.

I hope that the citizens of our fine county have now come to the realization that McCain is NOT the correct person to become our next president. After promising that he could deliver the Republican votes necessary to pass this Bill – he cannot get his own party to back his promise. Think about this America come November.

I think it is horrible that you are trying to shove Obama down the throats of America. If he had any clout, he would have delivered the other 95 nay votes made by the Democrats and passed the bill single handedly. I guess he wasn't interested since his old buddies at Acorn were not earmarked for any of the money. It was Acorn that caused the mortgage meltdown with handing out money to people who could not afford the overpriced homes they were buying with their sub-primed loans. They should have been told what the payments were going to be when the rate automatically went up. We don't need a fence rider like Hussein Obama.

The Republicans use the word "liberal" as a dirty (wash my mouth with soap) word when referring to Democrats, but even the slightest negative comment about them has them upset and crying fowl like a bunch of children. They can dish it out but surely cannot take it.

Need to get Pelosi to be quiet and bit the bullet....do not pass!!! We need to have a painful correction so this will not last 20 years.

I never thought I would see an America that cuts off its nose to spite its face. Obviously, a lot of people don't really understand what's about to happen. From the Republicans I expected this. I'd really like to know which Democrats didn't vote for this. This proves that so many of our elected representatives aren't the brightest bulbs, or really patriotic for that matter. They only care about being reelected. I hope the same people that clogged their congressmen's phone lines with "No" today don't have gas for their cars in November to get to the polls. And maybe all those religious conservatives in the middle of the country won't get their food stamps either. Then they can cry out to Jesus & beat themselves silly. And those of you sitting smugly in your McMansions, may a fire burn down your houses when the insurance companies are bankrupt.

The only ones who should stay are the ones that voted NO!

Everything the government controls turns to crap...

95 Dems and 133 Reps should be honored for doing the right thing!!!

There is no progression of this bill. From what I see I'm surprised that they are saying that and I also see that when John McCain said," The fundamentals of are ecconomy are strong". He was wrong they are in fact very weak the DOW is down -777.68 in the first time in history. How the heck are we making progress!

Jack,

I am furious about this bill as the next guy. Let's acknowledge how we got in this mess. The Republican leadership in the house and John McCain killed this bill. TAX CUTS when we didn't need it and wasteful spending and this stupid war in Iraq. The writing is on the wall and nobody wants to admit it, DEPRESSION!!!! I hope the American people aren't stupid enough to elect McCain and elect Obama because he is this country's last chance.

Jack,

This is a call to McCain to re-suspend his campaign since this crisis has not been solved.

He had hoped to turn his back on the American people by avoiding the debate to attend to this crisis. He was able to swoop in and "save" the deal that did not need saving just in time for the debate.

Now that his presence has fouled this deal I call on him to be a man of Honor and return to washington. It is obvious that Obama can control his party by phoning in long distance and McCain can only do it with a local call.

He even claimed credit for ensuring the deal passed, before it passed.

So please join me in calling on McCain to return to his Arlington Condo.

Yes. The incumbents should be fired and George W. Bush and Dick Cheney should be tried and sent to Federal Prison.Spring City, PA

Glenn Beck on a Promo for his show was quoted saying "Sometimes you have to do what's right for the country, that's only common sense." Last week the facts are that the Republican Party has lost all ability to know what common sense is. What the Republican Party showed today, was that it has no need for the middle class, it has no need for bipartisanship while at the same time blaming the Democrats for not being bipartisan under Republican terms. Bottom line is that for this country to see real change, John McCain needs to admit that his 90% voting record with the President was wrong, Sarah Pahlin needs to realize that she cannot even act like a competent politician in a skit at Girl Scout meeting, let alone as the next Vice President, and George Bush to go before this country and admit that his Republican Party denounce the idea of Trickle-Down forevermore. Until that happens, vote any thing with an (R) in parenthesis, as it is true mark of the Rich first, Country second. Today was a good example of just that!

Jack, am I wrong or were they planning to put the foxes in charge of the hen-house? Were'nt these the guys that got us into all this trouble
in the first place? Are they supposed to over-see all this money?

Jack,
No one has mentioned that corporate america and congress has caused more financial harm than the terrorist attacks on 9/11 2001. Greed, and concern for copmensation packages and bonuses drove financial executives to allow irresponsilbe business activities to persist. Congress is more concerned with re-election than making the hard calls and oversight to secure the economic security of our country. Until there is more than just a cieling on executive pay; maybe a concerted effort to recover those unearned bonuses and stock compensation packages, the public will remain hostile. I know, they had a contract...I had one for my retirement also, but the courts allowed an airline in Atlanta, Georgia to disregard the contract for a specific group under the guise of reorganization! As far as congress is concerned..."throw the bums out!"

I see this as a hopeful sign. This administration has never wavered at raising the national debt. I am glad to see that the politics of fear did not back us into a corner– taking the first option thrown at all of us. Certainly this refusal to add on to our huge debt doesn't change the fact that it has already increased more than any previous administration but at least we saw an act of conservatism from our government. Way to go... everyone... get the smart people together and think of something else. there is another viable solution.

Your latest comments blaming McCain for the failure of the finance reform vote is rediculous and definately reflects your total bais in reporting. "Reporting" is not the correct term, propaganda is a more appropriate term. As to the merits of McCain returning to Washington and then not deliving votes, just where is your bed mate Obama and his participation, or better stated his lack of leadership on this. How about some unbaised reporting. Neither one did much, however did anyone think 2 Senators could? The important thing is that they were their for the vote. Your constant hardsell against McCain is offensive at best, unbalanced, and totally lacks objectivity. Let the real facts drive the story. Your nonsense is counter productive and is having the opposite intended results for a lot of folks that are not fans of McCain, and I'm one of them! Calm down, stick with the facts, tell the truth, and we will prevail.

Who do YOU consider to be the WORST President in US History?

You all do realize that 40% of Democrats also voted against this...its not just the Republicans that voted this down.

I do plan to vote for the new guys/gals in the race. I think it give Americans a better chance of getting things done in our favor, rather than the good old boys!

It doesnt matter because if you VOTE them out they just moving back to their million dollar homes with 12 cars!!! No one on Capital Hill cares about the American people because its all about the mighty dollar! Dollar first American people and family last!!! Thats why we are in this fuzzy mess because the mighty dollar causes alot of fuzziness!!!

Quit blaming only one party, that is why we are in this mess they are both to blame.
Wake-up both parties are corrupt and don't ever seem to get anything accomplished! "Oh" Pork belly spending!

Jack,
I am not sure if it's reason enough to kick them out, but it certainly adds fuel to the fire. McCain's attempt to rally his troops failed miserably, and less than 1/3 or his party supported the bill. With that kind of result, what kind of rallying will he be able to acheive in the White House? All the more reason to put the GOP out of power.

Trevor
Petaluma, CA

So what I am led to believe here is that because of partyisan words from Nancy Pelosi the Repuiblicans for the most part voted against the bailout? Who and why do they serve? Get rid of EVERY one of them democrat and Republican alike.

Perhaps you shoulkd post in your blog the names of the politicians and their parties that got you into this mess by voting for these deregulating bills, then let the voters decide. By all means turf these guys and gals out and send a clear message. It seems that the grassroots Republicans could use a jolt. How they can spin it to be the Democrats fault for the failure of the bailout plan to pass is beyond me. Politics of fear is alive and well.

Get rid of those who ran this country to the ground & were for de-regulation.

And now that hypocrite and COWARD (yes, that's right... COWARD) McCain is blaming Obama for the failure of the bill's passage–

Your "Mighty Mouse to the rescue" stunt didn't work did it John?

I am so glad this non sense bailout was rejected. It's nothing but a scare tactic to provide the wealthy even more money. That some Democrat and Republican Reps and Senators are in favor is no secret as they have a lot to gain as shareholders and board members of these financial institutions. I don't care if money is not available at my local ATM, nor I care if I can't take a loan. We are all capable of living without these Markets of Greed and Gross opulence.

Who controls Congress? Do not the Democrats control Congress and could they not have passed this without the GOP?

I am surprised that republicans/democrats had no second thoughts for approving an open ended war with a blank check( almost 1 trillion dollars + 4000 American Lives + God knows how many other human lives). But when it comes to impending financial doom and the saving the common man and the avoiding a recession they are having second thoughts!!

Congress is setup so that they all are up for election every 2 years, so that we can, when necessary, fire congress and get all new leadership. Hopefully whoever is voted in will be real leaders and if not in 2 years we will fire Congress again. Maybe after a couple of elections they will learn.

Not enough reason to vote all of them all out, just the ones who had the audacity to blame the failure to pass the bailout on speaker pelosi's speech! I can't believe I'm actually hearing this ridiculous bickering from the people making decisions about my kids' financial future! I would like to know the legal procedures to getting rid of these guys.

I am a working mother of 2 kids. This needed to get done for our future as well as the future of the children of this country. Congress should be ashamed of themselves. We need term limits so that situations like this never happen again. Congress was more concerned with being elected than getting the American economy back on track. Fire them ALL!!!

Kathleen
Hampton,NH

Don't blame it on the Incumbents. We all liked the goodies while they lasted. Now we have to suffer the consequences. Wipe away the tears and learn a lesson from our mistakes.

Socialism is the liberals' dream. Who are Obama's friends? Show me your friends and I will know who (what) you are. The 'right wing' and 'left wing' are not separate; they are two wings of the same bird of prey. We almost always elect the whom we think is the lesser of two evils; actually, we elect the evil of the two lessers (all comments are stolen from wiser persons wiser than I).

Even if you held a gun to my head, I wouldn't vote for a republican this election.

Bad policies and bad politics = screwed middle class.

How thin-skinned can Rep. Congressman Boehner be, he sounded shrill, acting as if his little feelings got hurt because she, Speaker Nancy Pelsi, called it the way see saw it. Get a grip Boehner, the people are feeling the last eight years of being used and lied to by the Republican Party. It's time for accountability.

Every Republican should be tossed out. The only way out of this Mess is to have 60 Democratic Senators, a huge house democratic Majority and a landslide Obama win.

No single person has done more harm to the United States than Bush. Anyone supporting Bush should be voted out. Period.

David

That's a no-brainer .....throw all the Republicans out.! ...and put a section in the new bill that says that only the people that voted these Republicans in in the first place pays the consequences of the bail out! ...They caused this mess...LET THEM PAY TO CONSEQUENCES!!

I'm a regestered Independant voter, and really I'm still staying open minded about the canidates. Call me over cautious, but I listened to the debate Friday and both guys had good points. But, over the past few weeks before and up to now, I've heard Obama repeat everything McCain says and take credit for it. And I used to watch CNN faithfully, I have to tell you that you guys are the most Pro-Obama network I've ever heard. The stuff you say McCain says you twist around so bad it's a crime. And Jack you are the biggest Obama supporter I've come across to date. I'm surprised you didn't ask to be his running mate.
You and CNN, NEVER AGAIN!

No, Jack. If we vote out all the incumbents, they will be replaced by a majority of idiotic ideologues. What are the chances of legalizing a firing squad for those who say they put country first and then claim to be personally offended when Nancy tells them that the party is over and multi-million dollar parachutes will not be tolerated?

The monumental failure of the House of Representatives today highlights the need for new leadership in Washington. It is heartbreaking to watch my parent’s retirement fund suffer as lawmakers refuse to act. Legislators should be putting America first in this time of crisis, not their political careers! As a young 23 year old in law school, I am fearful for my future. Throw out the incumbents!

Today was about one thing, not Wall Street, not Main Street and certainly not the country, it was about reelection. Congress cannot make a decision without considering how it will affect their chance of remaining in office. Even if that decision would benefit the country, not just Wall Street, from financial ruin. Any member of congress that changed their vote, due to a "partisian" speech, should resign immediately, as it shows they have no consideration for their constituents, but that they make decisions purely on whether or not they get their feelings hurt. What a shame.

Ideology trumps everything with the right wing. They just couldn't swallow their own vomit

The American dream has become the American nightmare.

You ask why 50% of the americans are against the bailout...
Maybe because "Citigroup" who has it's own problems buys up Wachovia the same day of the vote... Why should Citigroup care ??
If things head south for them, the american txpayers will bail them out!
They know it!! CROOKS!

Sarah Palin is the most ignorant individual (by far) ever seen running for any high office position. It is absolutely terrifiying that any US presidential canadidate would chose her for VP. Please make this nightmare go away as us Canadians will suffer too if the republicans are elected.

This liberal Democrat agrees with the comments Glenn Beck just made. This whole thing must be making us all dizzy! But not as dizzy as John McCain looks for his actions last week. The failure of the bailout bill shouldn't be the reason to "throw the bums out". The reason should be that all this was allowed to happen with no one in office raising their hand and saying "excuse me".

Maggie from Michigan

No. But I say they don't get paid until they pass a bill that works.

FIRE them ALL!
They ALL are bought and paid for by the lobbyists.....get them out and don't let any of them stay....the only two decent ones are Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich.......ALL the rest have got to go! Join the CLEAN TEAM...
FIRE Congress (dot) Meetup (dot) com and Fire Congress (dot) Org

Another example of how Republicans have failed our country once again! Always doing the opposite for the working class and elderly citizens. Now the Mccain camp is making it out to be Obamas fault. What? If the Republicans would have voted like there Presidential Candidate wanted them to it would have passed.

More of the same from the Republicans. No matter how they fail our country time and time again, they put the blame on others. Its always the Dems fault.

No, I don't think all incumbents should be voted out of office. But those who voted against this critical measure should. I just watched helplessly as my paltry retirement tanked!

Jack, maybe the Republicans are waiting for Sarah Palin to suspend her Vice Presidental Debate to save the US Economy.

All you needed was 12 of the 95 votes from the Dems who voted against this to pass the measure. Why are you blaming Repubs when your own side KILLED it ??

Why aren't you chastising BARACK OBAMA?

Oh I forgot, this is the official website for BARACK OBAMA's campaign.

Jack

The last guy that spouted "through the bums out" got crucified by the political machine !!

How did the senator end up with egg on his face !! Try to think with just a little bit of an open mind for a change !!

The democrats have the majority in the house, even if all the republicans voted no they could have passed this bill !

It would seem appropriate that the media NOT whip this thing to a froth. The media can easily push this thing over edge.

Bob
Welaka, Fl

Yes fire them all, and lets start all over from the beginning new faces and maybe just put some soccer Moms in there to solve all this. Oh yea how about Sarah Palin, she could just tell the good ol boys no but no thanks.

If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself

I am in total agreement that we need to re-evaluate our political representatives both in the House and the Senate. However, I would like to also suggest something new: why don't we try a trickle-up theory. Im no math genius but what if we split that 700 billion among all American adults (18 and over) who make less than 250,000/yr? This would decrease reliance on credit while at the same time allowing Wall Street to rebound on it own. People would be able to buy houses at the same discount that the government was going to get "pennies on the dollar." Main Street would feel as though we could spend to help our families AND our country and Wall Street would gain confidence from increased spending....Again..I'm no genius, I'm just a working stiff with a thought....thanks Jack

Fire everyone,!!!!!!! As a Republican, I accept responsibility for this mess, but am voting every encumbent out and voting for OBAMA.. Who do these idiots work for,,, certainly not us.

Jack, Ask your people to find out how many voters have told their Reps. and Senators not to vote for this bailout. I heard on c-span that it was a hundred to one against it. There are other stratagies out there that do not give blind power to any one or two people. I would like to think that protecting the constitution was,maybe not the goal for all of them,was the result for all of us.

Jack,

I thought Sen McCain suspended his campaign to mobilise GOP support for the bail out? I guess all he could garner was "mental " support.

No! but it is reason to look at them more carefully. This reminds me of the 3 stooges. The republicans, democrats & the rest of us. Everybody slapping, poking and blaming the other. I'm a democrat and feel Obama has done well. Republicans and Independents please come on board.

Sharon from Tampa, FL

I haven't even decided if I think the bailout is a good idea, it is beyond my knowledge of how the economy works and I leave it to the 'experts' to determine what should be done. I am sick and tired of ALL politicians blaming their miserable behavior on the other side. Someone's speech is the reason you are not voting for a bill?? Either one agrees with it or not, are they seriously saying they would have voted for the bill if Pelosi hadn't of been so 'mean' in her speech. Give me a break and quit playing politics. Obviously I am a democrat and chose to use a case where the Republicans used this partisan excuse but I am not ignorant enough to believe it isn't going both ways. These people are deplorable.

We need a new Speaker of the House.
I vote for Steny Hoyer!

Jack, vote out the Republicans who blame Nancy Pelosi's speech for not getting the bail out through. They said a number of Republicans shifted thier vote because of it. It must have hurt their feelings. How ridiculously selfish.

They keep telling us that this isn't about Wall Street but about Main Street. And that people will lose jobs and houses. All of which is true, but where were these people when the Government was forcing banks to give bad loans? Where were these people when Greenspan was practically giving away free money, thus allowing all of these bad loans? They were cheering this unreasonable economic growth because it helped short term political support.

This is a question that should and must be asked. My family finds it odd that, when its decision time politicians cannot make one. Let this be a lesson to the voters who elect these indivduals. The writing was on the wall a long time ago. This is typical of what the average american feels. Hold them accountable, tell them to get back in and go to work. Firing them i feel will allow inexperience to exacerbate the issue -make them work!

Jack! It was Pelosi who killed the deal when she couldn’t keep her BIG MOUTH SHUT and had to blame the Bush administration as the House was ending its debate before the vote.

The fact is that the whole financial/mortgage mess has Democratic Party fingerprints and DNA all over it. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is their pet project – a social engineering program gone horribly wrong and something the media is grossly failing to report. John McCain had been keeping his mouth shut... not because he doesn't have plenty of political ammunition against the Democrats on this issue, but because he understood that USING IT before the House vote would have poisoned the debate and blocked the distasteful but necessary bipartisan solution. Pelosi, on the other hand, couldn’t stop politicking, and we have the result you see.

As for getting rid of all incumbents… I’ve been suggesting that for a long time… but only if Pelosi and Barney Frank are up for re-election.

I'll never vote for another incumbent again. Once in these positions, since they are just mere mortals after all, it becomes more important to keep the job than to actually do the job.

Last I heard the jokers in D.C. worked for the people. The people are sayin NO to a bailout! What don't they understand about this? Let Wall Street bail themselves out. Let the folks that made money on this whole mess fork it over to bail their stupid mistakes. And another thing, a company goes bankrupt and the CEO's get a huge compensation? Only in America!

I think all incumbents should have been voted out of office when Bush stole the last election. It is no longer about Red or Blue, it is about intelligence and idocracy. From this vantage point, there are 535 idiots that run this country and the other 300 million of us have to pay for it. I hope there is room in Canada!

Yes, they should all be voted out of office. This is a continuation of the past lack of action demonstrated for the majority of business before both houses of Congress. A news article today states the House will again go home without addressing the Alternate Minimu Tax problem, one that has been resurfacing each year. We need representatives from both parties that can address the tough issues that need timely attention. How can we expect the successful presidential candiate to lead this nation when the Congress he will work with represents the highest level of inaction possible.

If this doesn't make us all take a second look at who is sitting in Washington making decisions that affect all of us, then we must just be sticking our heads in the sand waiting for the tide to come in and put us out of our collective misery!
Isn't it enough that all the Fat Cats on the Hill are sitting pretty with life-long pensions, insurance they never have to pay a dime for and yearly raises? What else is it going to take for us as Americans to clean out Washington? I personally am FED UP with all the finger pointing and "Junior High" whining! Of course the Republicans don't want this package, it means their rich friends won't continue to get all that money!
Come on people, enough is enough. Get busy and agree on SOMETHING already!
Your constituents are dying out here trying to pay the mortgage, put gas in a 13 year old car and raise their families without health insurance on what you throw away on a steak dinner!
Give us all a BREAK!!!

Hell no! American people need to throw out the republicans because they have gotten us into this mess and it looks like they have exacerbated the situation. It's appalling that this republican party believes the American people are so stupid. They can play gamesmanship with any situation it does not matter how dire the situation is. It is unbelievable the hypocrisy of these people that they can be so offended by what would usually be considered timid rhetoric from the speaker!

Speaking of foreclosures – what happens when the Chinese foreclose on our bond debt that we can no longer support because we've dragged ourselves into a depression? I would like to think a Democratic administration will do better – but in reality, no one could do worse than GWB. Nice leadership, George.

But that is the past. The future is even bleaker than it appears. The US has seen its last day as the leading economy in the world. Better managed countries are going to fly by us in the fast lane while we claw our way out of this morass. Next up – the complete collapse of the automobile and airline industries.

Jack it won't do any good to vote them out.A few days after the election this same bunch will go back to Washington in a special called meeting and votes this bailout in.All of this ,especially the republican is political.Look like they are trying to blame the democrats for the mess they created.Why not it's worked before.
The ones really responsible for this are the ones that gave the republican control of all branches of the government,the American voter.

The middle class have been leading lives of quiet desperation for years. Many foolishly got themselves into mortgages that they could barely afford which took them to the tipping point. The banks gambled on these risky mortgages seeing nothing but dollar signs. Credit card companies extended credit at high interest rates to risky customers in hopes of collecting high fees when these folks defaulted. None of these companies where looking after their customers. None stopped to look beyond pure greed.

Increases in gas prices, food prices, utilities coupled with flat incomes sent people over the edge. A missed mortgage or credit card payment combined with the fees charged by these banks made it impossible for people to recover. The banks turned a deaf ear by refusing to renegotiate mortgage terms and continuing to assess more and more fees.

Now I am being asked to bail out these banks that got us into this mess. It makes me ill. These are the same banks that charge me $30 to automatically transfer money from my savings to checking for overdraft protection. My first instinct is to turn a deaf ear to their plight.

Bush and the republicans certainly turned a deaf ear to all this. They were too occupied in their wars spending billions of dollars each month, sending the national debt into the stratosphere. Their tax-cuts and stimulus packages barely made a dent in the problem. Afraid of losing their seats, house republicans torpedoed the bill rather than doing what was right. If we ever needed leadership, today would have been the day.

Lots of blame to spread around. That said, we have to fix the problem first. Approve this bill. Then we can turn our anger back on the companies and the politicians that got us into this mess.

The reason so many Congressmen voted against this bailout was that their offices were overwhelmed with calls opposing it. Being politicians, these representatives followed the will of their misguided constituencies, doing what was right for their political careers but what was clearly wrong for Main Street America. The question of the day has to be: Are most Americans so economically illiterate that they fail to understand that this bill is vital to their jobs, mortgages and savings? Hopefully the Republicans will do the right thing later this week and vote to save the US economy. They may lose their jobs in November, but they may save thousands of jobs and homes in their districts.

Incumbents out, absolutley, except for those who spopke out early on about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Dems are the ones who kept telling us everything was fine over there, Dodd, Barney Frank, these guys kept telling us everything was fine even when they knew the books were cooked, at the very least both of these lawmakers to resign.

Lets see, Bush can't keep the republicans together. McCain can't round them up either. They created this hell and now they jump ship when it comes time to figure out how to fix it. Their fear of losing an election caused them to bailout on Americans at a time we are most in need. If this is not an eyeopener to America, then I fear what it will take to wake this country up.

Perhaps if they took out the phrase "But the executives' current contracts, which may include golden parachutes, would still stand" they would find more backing from the 'mainstream'.

I read Fannie and Freddy donated $1.5 million to members of Congress to get favorable legislation and received it and see what happened. Can we get the names of the congressmen who received the money and how much and how they voted. It would be very helpful and interesting. Thank yioui.

Am I missing something, Eric Cantor and other Republicans were ready to vote for the emergency rescue package. Then Nancy Pelosi made a speech and hurt their feelings so, out of spite, they voted against the emergency rescue package, tanked the stock market, sent our 401(K)s down the drain, and maybe cost many of us our jobs. Oh yes, and then they left on vacation and won’t be able to work on a revised package for a few days.

Does anyone really believe that the Republicans changed their votes because of Nancy Pelosi's comments? Is that how they decide? I guess they think doing nothing is a better alternative. Evidently many Americans agree. Evidently, Bush, Bernanke, Paulson, and all the others were just kidding about the dire consequences.

Jack, people were opposed to this bill so strongly that the incumbents probably earned another term by defeating the bailout. It's a bad idea, plain and simple. Here's what needs to happen: change the mark-to-market accounting law and extend insurance, and extend NO loans.

Phil, Tulsa OK

Yes the hard headed republicans who insist on feeding the greedy rich. They're all robots without morals or remorse. Replace them with college graduates they would do a far better job.

Jack...on the surface, it looks like yes. However, I keep seeing Republican reps saying they're voting what their voters want. If that is actually true, I can't see them getting voted out, because they're doing what the system was orriginally designed to do.

Unless, of course, said voters are mad in 5 weeks and blaming the elected for doing what they want.

Independant in Texas

I don't know about voting all incumbents out of office but, do know it's just one more reason why I'm not voting for McCain!

Jack, Seize all the Golden Parachutes from all the CEO's! That is a about three Trillion dollars. Ban Golden parachutes in the future, these guys running these corporations act like they are on American Idol, they are employees and not very good ones at that.

All I know is that McCain should suspend his campaign indefinitely till November 5, 2008. He vowed to stay in Washington until a bill is passed and he needs to stop flip flopping and stay in Washington.

Let's start paying them by the hour. Minimum wage would be a good starting point.

Jack - I am one who wants to vote the "bums" out. Can CNN provide a list of congressmen and senators with their "yes" and "no" votes on this bill? A former Republican, a former Democrat and one who wants to join the party of "common sense". Can you tell me who is heading it up? Is there a statesman out there somewhere who really represents America?

Why doesn't any journalist ask Paulson if he and other ex-ceo's like him feel responsible for this mess when they were taking $107,000,000/year as salary?

I am very happy this bill did'n pass. I hope it won;t pass the next time they vote on it.

Dear Jack,

This is not a problem with all incumbents. Plenty of Democrats and some Republicans voted for this.

What I would like to know is how John McCain accuses Barack Obama of in some way "phoning this in" when he was present at the very same table as McCain before the debate, and the Senate vote hasn't happened yet. What exactly was supposed to be phoned in?

Nikki E. New York, NY

Let me put this in simple terms: I expect my representatives to vote for me, not for themselves. So what you are essentially saying is that all of those representatives of the People should be ousted, voting the way I asked them to? This plan doesn't help the People, it helps firms in high finance. Look at the polls! An approval rating below 10% generally means the people probably don't like it!!!! Good for the House!

Two of the congressional delegates from NM are up for Dominici's Senate seat and both voted against the bailout plan. I assume they were just looking after votes in Nov. It is a shame I cannot vote for someone else.

All the WWII Vets and the Korean War Vets are getting burned by the country they put their lives on the line for....this is terrorism...domestic terrorism...

Even Paris Hilton could have a better plan. The American people know it and they let congress have an earful. Find another way! How about closing the Enron Loophole? How about ending the war? How about having companies like Exxon and Haliburton pitch in? You will surely find 700 billion there. Americans are tired of the Bush Admin crying wolf and now the wolf is here and nobody buys it.
CC

I didn't want the bailout, along with the majority of Americans. So, I emailed all my congressional reps, I called them, I blogged everything I could do to make sure they knew that I didn't want it. So, heck no they shouldn't be voted out of office. Thank God they listened.

If they'd pass legislation that the elected officials have to pay the same taxes we do we'd all be "bailed out" in a hurry and if they had to rely on Social Security as we do, that would be safe as well. Never gonna be on an even keel as long as our Politicans all have their own "Golden Parachutes"
Thank you

Incumbents will be voted out = Incumbents will need a bailout of jail.

I don't know about all of them but the Republicans who said they voted against the bill because of the speech Nancy Pelosi made should surely go. If they were going to vote for the bill and changed their minds because of something Pelosi said in her speech, then they voted against what they thought was right for political reasons. If they were never going to vote for it, then they just plain lied about why they voted as they did.

I've done everything right. I've worked for 30 years, saved for retirement, raised two kids and started saving for their college 18 years ago, and paid my taxes. Now it's time for my retirement, my kids are in college, and all I've worked for is being lost. I feel like a sucker. I placed faith in my government to protect my life's works. How silly of me...how silly of me to have entrusted this gang of fools with my retirement and my kid's education. Out with them all.

Congratulations to brave congressmen who voted against the bailout .
Gamblers on wall street know the real economy, they did adjust to it and waken the unqualified greedy CEO s and their accomplices.

As an interested observer from that country to the North it seems somewhat hypocritical to be blaming just your politicians
The current situation is a reflection of a society which has become bloated with self indulgence and extended credit to feed the increasing appetite. Everyone in the US should take responsibility for this rather than trying to find someone to blame
Richard

Getting Ugly out there?? Wow someone actually finally labeled our woes in Congress as PETTINESS on national television. Mr. Frank could not have been more frank. If ever there was a time to remove political parties from our system now is the time.

No more political parties, period, after we vote them all out. Real people should get public funding to run as independents. With spending caps on a campaigns cost for primetime public airwaves and caps on amounts allowed to be raised with TOTAL transparency just like wall street.

Republicans are digging themselves an even bigger whole than the one they have dug for us.

Over the last few years I've watched America live high on the hog
while borrowing from China sending jobs to Mexico and lending
money to anyone who had a heartbeat. Years ago I thought
"They're in for it" and now the chickens have come home to
roost. I'm sure this will bite us too, but thank God I'm
Canadian.

Yes, vote out the incumbent Republicans. They are whining like Nancy Pelosi took away thier candy! ... and to get even, they are stubbornly refusing to put COUNTRY FIRST! I really don't care that Nancy hurt their feelings. Republicans are somehow trying to spin the problems on the Democrates which won't work. The Reblicans have put us in a world of hurt. And if you ask what the Replublicans are going to do tomorrow,..... "well, I'm gonna just have to get back to ya!"

I just had a discussion with an associate how $700 billion would help if each American adult just got their share. 1/2 the Money would be collected as taxes, and each individual could pay off debt and do what? Buy things and invest, both of which will drive the economy. > $100000 a piece is nothing to sneeze at.

Again I'll reiterate- AMERICANS NEED TO DEMAND TERM LIMITS ON SENATE AND HOUSE SEATS. That way these Capitol Hill career senators and representatives don't get get the time to become lax on the job, become out of touch with Main Street, be tempted by the corruption of lobbyists and special interest groups, and there is a chance for Americans to avoid more mistakes from consistently negligent incumbents.

No

Flabbergasted. For shame on the Republicans for not stepping up and passing this bill that Americans need. For shame on John McCain for last week wanting to take credit for a bill and then blaming the Dems when he can't deliver. For shame on all of us for letting these people stay in power.

dear jack...unfortunately, we have reached the point in american political history where the only objective of politicians (most) is to get elected and re-elected...when was the last time you listened to someone who actually explained our national economics, stated exactly how the ceo pigs and their financial cronies sucked our economy dry, and now want their money back?...we have crossed over the line...we must now go through the 1930's redux...there is no other way...as in clockwork orange, congress should be made to see a depression, with the 10 to 15% unemployment, over and over again, until they get it...sorry to be so depressing (realistic)...tom blumenthal

I think some Republicans were secretly hoping this would pass, but they didn’t want their names attached to it. I suspect many of them wanted this to pass so the economy would not tailspin, but they also wanted to be able to say they afterwards that voted against it so they could criticize it for passing. Shame on them and shame on us because we will probably vote most of them back in.

Their behavior adds insult to grave injury of America. Pelosi's speech caused some of them to have a little temper tantrum over hurt feelings? Egos first and country second for these GOP anti-regulation idiots. Asking them to grow up is too late and probably something they couldn't handle. November 4th can't come soon enough.

Biggest loser here?.... John McCain followed by the GOP. McCain " SUSPENDED" his campaign to sheperd the bailout through Congress. He ended up unable to convince his own people to support the bill.

Probably... It all depends on the repercussions felt before the elections. Most likely, it will mean incumbents out and more Dems in.

Jack – We should be giving these folks medals, not voting them out. The bailout needs to fail. We need to get back to a system of banking based on real goods with real value. The Republicans are the only one's with the strength to listen to their constituents and vote against what 8 out of 10 of the America people say is corporate looting. I'm tired of trumpeting this country as the pinnacle of democracy while the government makes decisions against the will of the people because we "don't understand". The light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter, not dimmer with this event. We may yet see the end of this greedy hubris and moral decay that has cast our country to the edge. These men and women should be thanked, not fired.

What are you thinking. This isn't to blame Congress. Wall Street and
all his't friends, did this. Stop blaming Congress, they are just stuck
with the clean up. Sorta like a wedding, the Bride and Groom leave,
and Mom and Dad are left to clean up.

This fiasco is more complicated than many citizens are willing to acknowledge. Naive, captious critiques and vehement repudiations of one party or another will not solve this crisis. We are all culpable: the politicians are culpable for abnegating their civic responsibilities; lenders are guilty of predatory lending practices that have precipitated and exacerbated this crisis; American citizens are to blame for their profligate spending.

I just wrote my congressman Wayne Gilchrest and told I wouldn't vote for him

People say they're going to vote the incumbant out all the time, but they never do. Congress knows that they don't have to do any better, and so they don't.

I'd like tho have all the perks taken away. Then you would know if someone wanted to go there it would be for the job and not the perks.

The politicians need more time to figure out what the right move is. All of this talk of "we must act immediatley" is foolish. We didnt get into this situation over night, and we won't solve this problem over night either. Rushed policy for the sake of saying you're taking action is rediculous and dangerous.

I guess that depends on who you believe on whether a bail out is needed. There are lots of ways to spend $700 billion that just might make a stronger economy and country than what is being proposed. How about alternative enery infrastructure.

Both parties share the blame for this. In fact the democrats failed to get 40% of their own votes. If they vote yeah it passes. Where's the blame on this today. I think those facts speak for themselves. If it's such a good thing why didn't 100% of dems vote for it?

This message is for President Bush and his failed party:

Dear Mr. President, please act responsibly for ruining our economy, and you, with whatever respect and power that you have left should strongly suggest that yours and all government payroll, should be suspended until financial order and economic common sense is restored. I wish that this would be retro-active for the last 8 years. Obviously, the movie "Recount" shows clearly why you are president today. McCain leaves in neverland and selecting Gov. Pailin for VP shows his arrogance and ignorance, that anyone can be in the White House.
EE

Am I dreaming or did I just see the Repubicana hand Obama the election???? Dems siding with Bush, wow whats it the water up there!!!!!!!

INCREDIBLE!!!
Just watched John McCain blame Obama for the failure of the bailout plan.
Democrats voted 140 to 95 to accept the plan. Republicans voted 65 to 133 against the plan. And according to McCain, this is Obama's fault. Do facts even matter anymore?

The economy is staggering, financial markets across the globe are being brought to their knees as banks hoard cash and lending comes to a complete standstill. Even more devastating is that our political institutions, which are wholly responsible for this mess to begin with are unable or unwilling, for political reasons, to take responsibility and agree on a solution.

You can tell it's an election year for the house! VOTE for the people
not your selfish politics!!!

Jack,

I have a bad taste in my mouth, and a upset stomach thanks to our buffoons for leaders in Washington. We can all agree that an additional burden of 700 billion strapped to the backs of the American people doesn't sound appealing, but lets face it ,something is better then nothing. Get together folks. This is bigger then party lines!

Yes, this goes to show people that the Republicans could care less about the average working class person. Republicans excuse for declining the bill was childish and selfish and if people still insist on claiming Mccain/Palin will be good for this country then you deserve all the misery that will surely come!

The knee jerk, fashionable thing to do is blame the current administration. While I'm no Bush fan, the seeds for this problem were planted during the Clinton administration when there was a great push to get people in homes that they couldn't afford. Chris Dodd and and Barney Frank were right behind it! They more recently fought Bush and McCain who wanted reform and oversight for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Chris Dodd in particular has notably received large campaign contributions from employees and PACs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Dodd and Frank should NOT be included in any oversight due to conflicting interests! I live in California. I knew darn well homes were not worth the prices that they were going for, so I didn't buy. Now they want ME, the tax-payer to bail them out ....NEVER!! I'm with the other post ....I'd rather live in a cardboard box then fund this bailout!

If there was ever evidence for politician disconnect it's now. They are not only disconnected from the people who elect them, but they are disconnected from reality. Bush and McCain thought a deal was close...most republicans voted no deal. Obama, Pelosi, and other democratic leaders thought we were close to a deal...many democrates vote no deal. This isn't political spinning, this is a collective Washington personality disorder.

The Bush gang strikes again, vote them out. Give wall street the same
help that is given to struggling americans. It sounds good but I know
better. Let us hope something good happens, that is, we pass a bill.

On nov 4 we are obligated to rid ourselves of those who put this crisis
in motion.

I agree with our friend to the North, Mr Richard Hunt. We are a self indulgent society that votes for any fool who will offer us enough to buy our vote. The chickens are coming home to roost, as Rev Wright would say, and America faces a difficult economic future because we have rejected the fiscally conservative office seekers when there was opportunity. Now we will pay the price but I don't understand how more people didn't see this coming. I've been trying to warn people for years.

Those who voted against this ill-planned give away have probably saved their House seats. The majority of Americans are dead set against bailing out Wall Street. I would rather burn the $2,300 which would have been my share of the bail out than hand it over to the rich.

You bet they are out. One thing that I don't quite understand is where have all these congressional idiots come from who failed to support bailout plan, and that means they failed our country, our people and our economy?

this is as dark a day as I can remember. Yes, as dark as 9/11. The government failed us then and they failed us today. I am beside myself. This is pathetic, appalling, and the nail in the coffin as far as I'm concerned on 8 years of complete failure. This country has such promise, resources, intellectual and physical capital and yet we've somehow managed to squander our good will, credit, and standing in the world. What took 8 years to destroy will take generations to replace.

This just goes to show you the dems have nothing to say,so nancy needs to shut up,and get out of town.Its easy for the dems to blame the repb,but they started this mess years ago.We have a do nothing congress,with a say nothing obama,so put it together and you got the mess we have today.Thanks to slick willy,and his gang,who gave china the honors of being the most favoured trading nation.God help us if obama gets in India might be next or better yet cuba.

Didn't need the bailout to know that these idiots should be swept out.....How stupid is NP right before the vote making a partisan speech??? As a group they are a bunch of gutless cowards. They only care about themselves and their rich friends.

Congress only has a 9% approval rating, but the individual congress men and women have much higher ratings in thier own regions. This means that together as a whole, we are pretty divided.

Hopefully, we can elect a president/congress that doesn't polarize us so much. I'd like to see more shades of gray than all the black or white talk that fills the 24 hour news programs and these forums.

I am curious how much wealth was lost in today's global market decline.

Did it exceed the $350bn initial outlay of taxpayer money for a bailout of America's addiction to living beyond their means?

I don't have a PhD in economics, but if the aforementioned is true then that sure as heck sounds like poor decision making by our country's leadership in real dollar terms.

I'm even more curious to see if the market's cost of NOT doing a bailout will exceed the $700bn price tag we have initially rejected.

I was so happy that ignorance managed not to win for once, and the bailout failed.

The bailout is guaranteed to stagnate our economy, and it would only provide short-term relief. I just hope that another one doesn't come through.

Why has the general public not been allowed to see the whole proposal on the bailout?

"Democrats are doing our part to improve the administration's flawed plan, but we will need the support of more Republicans to get this done," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said in a statement,
This is crap! when President Bush sent them this bill they were ready to sign it as is, and now they want to blame republicans? I say they all get fired!

Sarah Palin's lack of understanding of the crucial issues is made even more scary by the fact that she is not even aware of how very unschooled she sounds. Why is McCain doing these things to this woman? Does he not know that he is damaging her for life? Let the Goverenor leave now, whilst there is still some semblance of dignity left about her.

I feel it's reason enough to vote the Republican Party OUT along with their c- President., it's them and the lam duck kid that have us all swimming in deep Do-Do in the first place.

Glad to see this Bailout fail...

Now it's time to see the real work begin, without Bush, without the Republicans, without the Republican cronies and without the lobiests.

Thanks to everybody who voted Republican since 1980, you voted to send millions of jobs to other countries and you voted to pay those companies who sent jobs away (wasn't it Boeing that we gave over $800 million dollars, to kill jobs in Wichita and build that factory in Beijing? A classic) and you expected nothing would happen.

You voted to go to war and put money into the hands of the Military -Industrial complex, without having he money to do it. Lets give everybody tax cuts and go to war... Hello, are you all as stupid as they (the Republicans) think we are? That's right think about it...

Well whether we liked it or not, we the citizens of the US of A, have been on that road of excess and that speeding trip has finally hit the wall at the end of the road. And the sign on it once the debree is removed could say "Depression."

This has been coming for a long time: This country has been bleeding from the bottom up. And the only reason for a panic that has made a bailout necessary is to save the top from bleeding with the rest of us. Gosh, I would really hate to see the top suffer. I wonder if their pain will trickle down, where their money didn't.

Wall Street – the richest can walk away and be fine but the little guy, the public will not if this goes on. This is the only time I have agreed with the Bush Administration throughout the whole eight years. This is serous and we won't care who signs this bill once everything comes to a grinding stop. The parties need to stop playing politics over this and sign the bill. If you are expecting a pay check and you don't get it you will be upset. How simply can I make this.

Blame the Democrats for the financial mess!

This is what happens when you pump money into Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other lenders like ACORN so people barely above the poverty line can buy half-million dollar townhouses because of a well-intentioned but foolish belief in "fairness". When you start seeing massive foreclosures, don't ask me to hand over $700 billion.

republicans only vote yes to free trade or send jobs to china or war

Sorry, folks. This was most assuredly a BI-PARTISON screwover. They've all let us down. I'd rather have the economy collapse than let any of them make any more $$ out of the American Tax payor's blood, sweat and tears!

This is awesome...stick it to Bush. He's already killed our soldiers (Iraq), killed our own citizens (Katrina), disgraced our country in the eyes of the world, ran up the biggest deficit EVER, and now wants to pay off all his Wall Street cronies before he leaves office! Tell me again why he was never impeached?

I saw a bumper sticker the other day.... Bush/Cheney '08. Can you actually believe there are people out there that would vote for these clowns again? I don't think we as a people or we as a country would make it another 4 years under their guidance!

If any Republican didn't lose any money in the last few days
then vote republican again.

Jack,
The bailout has not failed yet. The plan is for the Republican to get enough votes on Thursday to so that they can take the air out of the potential Palin VP debate disaster.

Jack the punditocracy will not give voice to what is really going on here.
My hope is that you will.
Todays actions were a deliberate political stunt, not a failure of the Republican Congressional Leadership. This IS the October Surprise. The GOP is playing a salted Earth strategy

McCain must have taken one little blue pill too many when he selected Palin as his running mate; it only goes to prove that he ain't no maverick – he's a loose cannon. Are you ready for the newest game in town – Cowboy Diplomacy (ver. 2.0)?

This economic meltdown is a direct result of the irresponsible Reaganomics that has been foisted upon us by the Republicans for the last 30 years! The bailout was being shoved down our throats to save the same greedy bastards that have made out like thieves over that time! The only incumbents that will be out of office are the Republicans who are responsible for this mess – regardless of their pathetic attempts to point the finger elsewhere today – IT IS THEIR FAULT AND THEY WILL PAY!!!

I was ecstatic today when the bailout plan failed in the House! I even jumped up and down and yelled yeah, finally, democracy really does work!!

I spent quite a bit of time reading and re-reading the Plan yesterday, and have five pages of notes on areas that don't add up or seem right or sensible to me. I don't think many of you spent your Sundays doing that, and are now back on the bandwagon believing the government is going to protect you from harm when they are the very ones who put you in harm's way...and will harm you even further if you allow the very same people to implement and oversee and manage the assets they have mismanaged for many, many years.

Believe what you will because the headlines now read that the DOW plummeted 700 points after the plan failed...if you would read more than the headlines, you'd realize that the DOW started off in the negative and was down 500 points before the House even voted...and that the Acting Speaker of the House (immediately after the debate ended and the ayes and nays were verbally cast) pronounced that the ayes have it and that the bill was passed, when in fact they had not and that it took a bit of rumbling in the House for the Acting Speaker to acknowledge that a roll call vote was absolutely in order.

Don't be a sheep. Do your own homework.

You people think it is bad now? If this thing had passed AND Obama won the presidency, we would all be in a WORLD of hurt. Our country can't afford this bailout AND a dem in the presidency. At least now we can afford Obama....

Did a mighty ACORN grow into an Oak named BARACK OBAMA????Not only was Wall St greedy, but was fueled on by organizers like Obama, who fueled voters to vote for him like a wolf in sheep's clothing offering them houses that they could not afford.!!! Now sorry BO we won"t offer you a house "Thw White House!!!!

House Minority Leader John Boehner claims that twelve Republicans were ready to vote for the bill (presumably because they felt it was necessay for the economy) but voted against it because they were incensed over what they perceived to be partisan remarks by the Democratic Speaker. This sounds like Newt Gingrich's shutting down the government because. he had to exit Air Force One by the rear door, all over again. Come to think of it, shutting down the government, at least until January, may not be a bad idea.

John,
It's time to stop blaming one another and do the right thing! Our President and his Cabinet, Leaders in both houses have failed the American people. I tired of all the fussing and fighting.

Jim
Lake Texoma, TX

Who is to blame? Washington just falls in step with us. We have as much to blame as anyone. Greed is not just a term to be used for the person working on Wall Street. We on Main Street are as much to blame. We live beyond our budgets. SUV's, Plasma televisions, expensive vacations, etc.... Just charge it!! That has been our philosophy over the years. Buying more than we need and not having enough money to pay for it.
I live in the French Quarter and walk to work every day. I use to pass the homeless in front of Jackson Square and wonder how they got there. Now I pass by them and wonder...will I be there? Change Congress...YES!!!-but change ourselves too!

In reading these posts, I find it funny that people are surprized at the way the congress acts. I see the same name-calling, partisian comments, exagerations and finger pointing within these posts.

It is also intersting that both sides (for and against) will comment that the other side is moronic and more just for differing in opion. If we, the American people, can't handle a debate how can we ever expect our leadership to?

I agree with some of the comments that Americans need to actually learn about the people they are voting for instead of looking at the R or D after the name or whoever says the right things during the election etc.

Another taxpayers' bailout, and again, there will be no accountability, no legal actions taken against the perpetrators, no restitution made and no self-government inquiries. Where in the "Constitution" does it require U.S.A. taxpayers to pick up the tab? D. Prijatelj, Freeport, FL

Jack,

These 'politricksters' think the hard working American people are stupid; it is apparent that they think they have consumed the elixir of life, so they are serving their selfish interests first. This buffoonery.
What happend to' ask what you can do for your country'?

If we continue to prop up the market it will still fall at some point. We just need to let the market correct it's self and move on. It will be pain full and affect those who can not affor it.

Boy'o' boy, partisanship will not only kill your way of life but also that of your allies. Are those people in Washington operating in a vacuum where they can now tell the have-nots in your society that they will never have? If so, maybe America should change its entire structure of government.

It is simple for me! Why expect any republican to vote yes for this bill? If they do, it only means that they are affirming what we already know, their policies are flawed. We've known it and I know they still don't get it. My last comment is based on the reality. My 401k like many others. I have been saving for close to 25years. Today the value of all those shares are worth less than what I started with. It will take another 20 years for these shares to get back to the levels they were at after the first 25 years. When will everyone wake up and realize that the Republicans are doing what they said in the last 2 major elections, "Making the American Worker just as Competitive as all other workers in the world" by turning our economy into a 3rd world economy.

to answer your post Mike...

the plan was for it to be bi-partisan... NO ONE liked the plan... but conventional wisdom is that is what the country needed. So the democrats voted for what was needed by the country... not voting by ideology. Blaming the 40% of dems who voted against it for is ridiculous. Ideology in the place of common sense and practical reality is what got us in this mess the first place.

Jack;
It's good to see we still live in a Democracy. The Republican House listened to the people they represent and voted accordingly. After years of Bill Clinton and George Bush I was beginning to think I lived in a Capitalist Monarchy. Wall street has been shafting the middle class for years and making obscene amounts money in the process. Now that their greed and corruption has come home to roost I hope they get what coming to them. Criminal charges among other things.
I know things are going to be tough on Americans for awhile, but I believe when times get tough Americans get tougher. We will survive these times and just maybe, be living in a real Democracy when their over. Don Comstock

America should be embarrassed and ashamed! We have squandered our money and our resources. I don't trust ANY of the politicians in Washington. They have all abandoned the oath they took when they entered office and are serving themselves ans who ever is offering to fund their next campaign. I believe we need a whole new party. And a brand new set of faces in DC.

We should all be cheering the rejection of this bill. The US government and tax payer should not be responsible footing the bill for Wall Streets problems – and giving an almost blank check to Sec. Paulson. I bought a house I could afford and continue to make the payments – why should I subsidize someone else's. On top of that, the CEO's get to keep their Golden Parachutes, funded by us!

And, don't we have better uses for that $700 Billion – Health care or education?!?

Democrats love to bash Bush for everything wrong in the world, but let's look at their record since taking power in 2006. Gas prices have risen from $2.50 p/gal to over $4.50 p/gal, no new energy bill to solve the problem, record defecit spending which has increased our debt to foreign countries by trillons, no new laws to regulate immigration, no new laws to regulate money markets – Fannie/Freddie and now we are teetering on financial collapse and all they can do is keep blaming Bush. Democrats are proving they can not govern and all they want to do is play the blame game. I hope for they all get voted out and let the Regan Republicans take back control. The best solution to this problem we are in is to let the weak companies die off and let the strong companies who were responsible and reasonable carry on. Democrats are good at taking care of all the freaks, geeks and faries of our country, let the Republican rule the rest.

I was against this bill because I thought Congress did not exhibit patience. Patience will always shell out dividends, but hurriness creates ruin.
I believed that the house Republicans had reached a deal and today it fell to tatters. John McCain said he would suspend his campaign until a deal was set, so apparently his campaign is still suspended. Oh, wait, he never actually suspended his campaign.
McCain did nothing to help this bill and he blames Obama, which is asinine since 2/3 of the Republicans killed this bill.
Someone needs to take the leadership role on this situation and get this economy pschologically fixed.
I believe this bill is bad because it does not fix the actual problem which was too little regulation or oversight on WallStreet. You do not need big government to watch over the shoulders of these private corporations, but you need stronger measures to ensure they do not act careless with their responsibilities. I believe that Congress needs to wait the market out a week or two to see if there is trending. This did not occur overnight, so we need to see where the leaks in the dike are so they can be shored up.
John Mccain, we want transparency and honesty. Stop contradicting your VP and trying to tell her what she meantl. She does not have to agree with you 100 percent. She is a good governor who needs to learn trial by fire since she is so inexperienced to lead this country. her lack of experience is not executive, but federal knowledge which is imperative to any vice presidential candidate.

You said "It turns out members of McCain’s own party balked at voting for the bailout in the house." Uh, gee, Jack did you notice lots of Dems voted against it too? Maybe the message is sinking into both parties that the citizens do not want to pay for this mess.

If you want to know why this particular vote failed, rewind Pelosi's statement during the floor debate. She blamed the Reps for the whole financial mess right before she expected them to vote for the bill. What a surprise they didn't! She also said, "Democrats believe in the free market." Now there's a joke for you.

Mr. McCain, suspends his campaign in a political ploy and show down, hoping to gain... He Lose, then he blames the other side for not doing their job... Hmmm.... More Democrats voted for this bill than Republicans that "he" supossedly went to Washington to convince...

So, he can't convince his own party, look at his VP selection, can't convince democrats, shoots from hip, makes decision first, then thinks later, and can not do muti-tasking....

My friend if he is elected, we should just put a lock on our country and call it closed...