Same ‘Ole, Same ‘Ole

Please indulge me if I use a quotation from the Psalms, because in many ways not much has changed in more than 2000 years. The unbridled personal and structural self-indulgence which led to the current worldwide economic meltdown reminds me that the exploitation of men by other men is as rife now as it was then:

“Defend me, O God, and plead my cause
against a godless nation.
From deceitful and cunning men
rescue me, O God”

Throughout remote history, helpless people pleaded to God for relief from those who took advantage of them. By 2008, mankind should have made quantum leaps toward the Golden Rule, don’t you think? Here we are centuries later; whom are we to trust? To whom among us do we plead?

Finally, Action!

It’s hard to believe what Congress was about to do in the midst of the financial crisis engulfing the nation. A week from today, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives were scheduled to go home for three months without lifting a finger to stem the financial markets meltdown. They will not return until after January 1st, 2009.

That may not sound plausible, but just read this excerpt of what Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee had to say in a TV interview just two days ago when asked what Congress would do: “It is inconceivable to do anything before the election” . . . we need “to do this in a rational and measured way.” The Bay State representative went on to say, “It is conceivable that after the election, you could get some kind of consensus . . . it is by no means certain.”

That was on Wednesday. A day later the entire picture, as well as the attitude of this do-nothing Congress made a 180° turn.

We don’t know what words were used by Hank Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury, and Ben Bernanke in a closed door meeting of key legislators yesterday. Whatever both men said, it was enough to light a fire under economically timid and reluctant Republican and Democrat lawmakers. The word is that they have accepted an Administration proposal to unravel the chaos.

If no one throws a monkey wrench in the works, the nation should have a comprehensive law to fix things before these bozos go on vacation. (According to an August 27, Rasmussen report, “just 9% of likely voters give congress positive ratings.”)