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UPDATE III:  STOP THE BAILOUT>NO MEANS NO!

With the stock market closing higher for the day in spite of the piercing shrieks of doom emanating from every hollow of Punditville , you would think that the dollar must be sinking uncontrollably, as investors around the world convert their dollars into hard assets, like companies with land, buildings, and inventory of useful commodities, because who on earth would be buying stocks right now.  In fact, the dollar has been bouncing up and down wildly over the last two weeks, the poor creature's final hissy fit before it is told sternly by the world to go take a nap.  The endless stream of money (read 'debt') being pumped into the system by the Federal Reserve has allowed it to be persevered for yet another weekend respite, dollar still pulsating, stock market still breathing, the Constitution still somewhat legible.

Every news update seems to be packaged around the same precept, that the bailout plan must happen and this is simply a matter of negotiation.  Well, as far as I can tell, from polls around the country, especially local news channel polls, the citizens are not saying, "Hey, come up with better details for the $700 billion bailout."  Their answer seems to be decidedly "No Bailout."  Even FOX NEWS (heaven help me) acknowledges that most Americans oppose the bailout plan. 

Apparently, we need to adopt the mantra of those long-empowered ladies of our world who have grown used to the constant onslaught of self-aggrandizing men and have  long since  understood the need for great simplicity when communicating with these would-be overheated assailants:  "No means no."   

It doesn't mean "No, unless you add more taxpayer debt to the bill to help us, instead of just helping us taxpayers (Democrats…No means no…)

It doesn't mean, "No, unless you shoot in from the flanks with an investment plan for the taxpayers, hoping that we won't wonder how anyone can create an investment plan for $700 billion in a couple of days (Republicans…No Mean no!...)   

It doesn't mean "No, unless it's all about you! You, you, you! (McCain, No means no...)

It doesn't mean anything except "No".

Opponents to the bailout are holding their own right now, but there is always Plan B.  A rational opponent always has Plan B.  You see, if the administration and Congress acknowledge to the people that they hear us, if they acknowledge that we are against this bailout period, and if they acknowledge that we are going into a deep recession, and if they decide to start concentrating on that plan together instead of spending weeks trying to figure out how to hide golden parachutes in language and footnotes for failed confidence men, then it might actually strengthen the nation.  We might start great debates in the Congress about how to fix things instead of how to shape things.  People might feel somewhat empowered because they actualy understand what is going on around them and feel they have some control over it. 

 So, the media pours out story after story highlighting the dissension, and the political parties, and the candidates, and this group from that state who does this…and that group from that committee that wants this…I'd like to hear one Senator or Representative say, "I've voting no because practically everyone in my district said 'no'." 

Let's flash forward a week or so.  The economy has crashed in a way that causes a seizure in the market place.  It's a big stock market drop, FDIC needs more money, the dollar is tanking, and no one is buying our debt.  A national emergency is declared, and I acknowledge in advance that this a paraphrase, but I suspect you may hear: 

"The nation now faces an extreme crisis, one that could have been controlled had the Congress taken action in a timely manner.  You all witnessed how a simple emergency procedure, that would have supported the credit market and allowed us to dispose of these assets in an orderly manner, was undermined by partisan politics, even when the American way of life was being threatened, even when experts and economists around the world pleaded for a quick resolution.  Our citizens cannot afford this kind of slow response in the face of clearly stated emergency situation. 

"Now a crisis is upon us, and government must respond without hesitation, to come to the aid of every citizen.  Our commerce is frozen and we need to make sure the people have the necessities as we transition through this crisis, without delay...national emergency...Patriot Act...a bunch of other laws we slipped in behind your back in the last eight years while you were watching American Idol...curfews... Consequence Response Management...soylent green…."

Fire insurance from the mafia.  Go ahead. Don't buy the insurance.  See what happens.

This is why we must stay focused on broadcasting that it is the citizenry saying "No means no", and that we are going to stop this bailout, not the politicians.   I bet they are bothered to no end on how much this issue has brought together Americans from across the spectrum.  It would seem that we do have a lot in common, after all, especially the instinct that kicks in when we sense that our free will and self-determination is in jeopardy.  It's the same instinct that inspired our ancestors and family to cross the ocean into the unknown to seek their liberty, whether four hundred years ago or last month, it's the same instinct that drove out the British and the East India Trading Company in the Revolution, it's the same instinct that drives us to refine our respect for each other, breaking down barriers of slavery and oppression one at a time for the last two hundred years, and it's the same instinct that forged our Constitution and Bill of Rights.  And when they see us react with that instinct en masse, they panic, because it scares them.  I think they thought we were more subdued than we are.  So the media blames it on the Congressional circus. 

The only way to restore full faith in the credit of the United States of America is for us to show the world that We the People can control this government, especially this administration.  If we demonstrate to them and the world that the bailout was stopped according to our will, then our neighbors may not have to treat us like ogres who have lost their collective minds.   This insistance of our self-determination is a threat to those who would rule, but it should be a comfort to those who would lead. We'll see if we have any leaders left.  In the meantime, assume not and keep pounding away at this endlesslessly.

Find your Reps:  www.congress.org

John Caelan

www.quebb.net

http://johncaelan.blogspot.com

We don't need a new revolution. 

We're in the one that never ends.