"The US dolar sucks currently. I agree. Again, irresponsible government meddling, no matter the brand."

Couldn't agree more.

"Liberals call the belief in free markets and rugged individualism "Fluff". Typical arrogant dismissal of others beliefs. Better to have have our lives controlled to ensure "fairness" and "economic justice". Right?"

If you say so.

"As far as the banking crisis goes. Mortgage brokers with no stake, securitizing investment banks, incompetent rating agencies, ignorant consumers, lying consumers, spec builders, artifically low interest rates, ACORN, Fannie. Freddie. You pick, they all screwed up and the 20% downers like me suffered for it."

1) Incompetent rating agencies with a vested interest in pleasing their clients.
2) You left out financial deregulation in the 1990s (under Clinton) that lifted capitalization requirements and enabled the creation of CDOs, CDSs, SIVs, etc.
3) ACORN - LOL!

"The system had to be recapitalized and it was with the minimum amount of damage in my opinion."

What happened to your free market ideals? Why couldn't the smaller and mid-size banks (aka BBT) be supported and the dead weight - ML, C, etc be dropped? How much do you think access to small business and consumer loans has improved? Most of the low interest loans have been driven into the markets by your WS banker buddies.

"Most of it will be paid back with interest except for AIG and GM."

...and CIT, and C....

"The loans to the banks are paying off."

If you mean reinflated the stock market, I agree.

"No grants were given so stop acting like we showered money on the banks with no conditions."

Silly me. So who exactly received the no interest loans? The Fed refused to obey a court order to disclose. Oh wait, mentioning that probably implies conspiracy thinking.

"Oh please. Not the dreaded Halliburton and GS. Those successful american companies? Those evil smart productive people. You have been drinking the KoolAid again haven't you?? War mongers and a Jewish conspiracy right?"

ROTFLMAO!!! So Halliburton's KBR competed to win their Iraq contract right? Who did Dick Cheney work for before becoming VP?

What company have the past three Treasury Secretaries worked for? What bank converted to a commercial bank last October to qualify for TARP funds than quietly became an investment bank again after Uncle Sam saved them? I won't even address yesterday's H1N1 news...

"Now sales compensation incentives is a different animal that I believe was part of the problem."

I spoke about padding their salaries. I thought that it was abundantly obvious that I was referring to "performance" bonuses - which are paid to many executives regardless of corporate profitability. Of course, this cherished system in no way rewards stable corporate growth.

"Oh, and by the way, businesses do build a resilient sound economy. Not government. I still get the feeling that you think economies can be engineered by elitist beauracrats. Never has happened and never will."

You need to find a straw dummy to beat up on.

"Your response was insulting so you deserved to be called out and insulted back."

How's that for calling a spade a spade? Sorry that your feelings were hurt.

"I don't suspect I'll need to respond."

I don't suspect you will. Enjoy the Rush Limbaugh show this afternoon dittohead.