Federal bailout was no surprise

John A. Suren
Published: November 2, 2008

I have lived a relatively long time — long enough to see many complex and diversified developments occur. However, nothing compares to the recent federal government bailout situation. Some people
were surprised, I was not! I had the sense that something like this would eventually happen because we have become entirely too capitalistic. To some extent capitalism is fine; in the extreme it can
become very dangerous. When you say $700 billion fast it does not seem so much. When you say it slow you get a different perspective.

There are a lot of people to blame for this mess, but most of the blame goes to the CEO’s and Congress.  The CEO’s were very greedy, and those in Congress have done nothing to control their thirst for
money.  A regulatory system has to be in place. There apparently was none. 

Subsequently we let those who think they need three houses, four cars and a large swimming pool pursue their ridiculous dream. The American people have a tendency to spend money they don’t have. 
We have more and more people who cannot be trusted — especially with our money!

As a result of this development there have to be many CEO’s who made a lot of money. Will there be an attempt to get some of it back and will any go to prison? 

In light of this development, I hearken back to what Abraham Lincoln once said. He said that outside influences would not beat the United States, but it might be destroyed from within.

Congress has acted out of necessity. Will we learn from this? We better. If we allow such as this to happen, it could lead to the destruction of our Democracy.

JOHN A. SUREN

Manassas