Today I listened to Representative Brad Sherman on how the Paulson proposal will purposely bail out foreign investors.
Here is the shocking text as translated from CNBC in an exchange with Larry Kudlow.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D California:
Larry I am glad you have a few seconds to talk to someone who voted against this bill. I am not changing my mind. I want to thank my colleagues who stood up to the purveyors of panic and voted against a very bad bill and voted with 400 eminent economists including three Nobel laureates who wrote to us and said don't panic, don't act hastily, hold hearings, work carefully. The fact is Larry if you read this bill, even you would have voted against it.
It provides hundreds of billions of dollars of bailouts to foreign investors. It provides no real control of Paulson's power. There is a critique board but not really a board that can step in and change what he does. It's a $700 billion program run by a part-time temporary employee and there is no limit on million dollar a month salaries.
Larry Kudlow:
Let me just ask you one question. I think you are referring to foreign banks headquartered in the United States. I do not see how foreign investors get bailed out.
Rep. Brad Sherman:
Larry you have to read the bill. It's very clear. The Bank of Shanghai can transfer all of its toxic assets to the Bank of Shanghai of Los Angeles which can then sell them the next day to the Treasury. I had a provision to say if it wasn't owned by an American entity even a subsidiary, but at least an entity in the US, the Treasury can't buy it. It was rejected.
The bill is very clear. Assets now held in China and London can be sold to US entities on Monday and then sold to the Treasury on Tuesday.
Paulson has made it clear he will recommend a veto of any bill that contained a clear provision that said if Americans did not own the asset on September 20th that it can't be sold to the Treasury.
Hundreds of billions of dollars are going to bail out foreign investors. They know it, they demanded it and the bill has been carefully written to make sure that can happen.
Please scrap the Paulson proposal in entirety and try something that might work, that is constitutional, and does not put taxpayer money at risk. The actions of Treasury Secretary Paulson go far beyond disgusting, to outright betrayal of US citizens.
US citizens should not spending $700 Billion to bail out foreign investors.
What Would $700 Billion Buy?
Michael sez: The Hermit said that China called Bush and said that if he lets their bonds go to zero they will shoot themselves in the foot and dump a trillion or more dollars on the international market for whatever anyone wants to pay and let the economy be ruined, the money turned worthless. Too bad, says I. Don't let the stuff come into the country. Safeguard the nation. The better this economy does the more the foreign held money will be worth. The best thing you can do for folks holding US debt is to make our economy stronger so their holding is worth more. Screw the threats! Stay alive!
Michael
mboone@rtccom.net
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2 comments:
The dumping of toxic debt into a country was a big factor of the collapse of Argentina.
And the congressboobs are falling for it hook, line and sinker.
All these reckless proposals and economic bailouts are just going to cost the taxpayer. The politicians are only worried about getting re-elected. They don't really care if you lose everything as long as they can stay in office.
RW
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