[ClearCase_guy]

The government is willing -- eager! -- to spend trillions of dollars (which we don't have) in a failed effort to stimulate the economy.

How about just eliminating corporate taxes and capital gains taxes? Eliminate. For two years.

There's your stimulation.

Oh, but I keep forgetting! The Stimulus package isn't about stimulating the economy! It's about buying future votes through picking economic winners and losers. How silly of me! Carry on.

[Capt. Tom]

Banks like other businesses are in there to make money. So if you give them money, why would they risk loaning it to people in is economy-with just about everyone saying the economy will get worse in 2009.- Tom

[GOPJ]

The government acted like an irresponsible parent in failing to spell out its expectations for the money.

The government's being played for a fool by a nasty teenagers - with OUR money.

[Star Traveler]

They’re in more trouble than the amount of money given...

[hoyaloya]

Not only aren’t they lending - they’ve laid off their loan officers and underwriters. So, while some banks still talk like they want to lend (but aren’t when the underwriting process takes over), others aren’t even pretending. They’ve gotten rid of the people that make the loans happen.

Now, whether the tighter lending standards are such a bad idea is a different question. You’d think that given what they now know (that the govt is going to bail them out) they wouldn’t be overly concerned about making only the very best loans.

[Leisler]

"There’s a lot on the administration’s plate already, but fixing TARP is going to have to be a high priority...

I rule of government. Find a problem, spend boatloads, and make it worse. Actually, TARP was a response to previous government made problems, where were the result of even more previous government made problems, which..and on...and on...and on. Suckers. We. Are. Such. Suckers. We got their patoons, banging away at our ripped up heinnies, every day, year in year out and they tell us it feels good for them and we should be so happy. I don't blame these thieves, idiots, perverts, liars, grifters one bit. They are just thriving on a dumb, weak, cowardly citizenry. That's why we are called Sheeple.

[SunkenCiv]

Just Plane Despicable: ‘Rescued’ Citi Buying $50m Jet
NY Post | 01/26/09 | Jennifer Keil & Chuck Bennett
Posted on 01/26/2009 5:52:33 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Edited on 01/26/2009 6:27:25 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2171875/posts

[TAP ONLINE]

Not to defend the banks, but not enough info is given here to make a sound judgment on these banks lending policies.
If no Tarp funds were given how much would lending have been?
I think we can safely conclude not more lending.
If the reserves of banks fell as enormously as we have been led to believe isn‘t a fall of 1.4% relatively small? We were told many of these banks might fail (ie make no loans) or be drastically affected (again a decrease in lending )
If our GDP has fallen by 5 % (some say this will happen) is a decrease in lending of 1.4% actually more robust then it might have been?
Also one must now consider risk. Where it was deemphasized before (risky loans were made) it is now king. With companies in decline and caps down, companies are now riskier to lenders.
Does on want risky loans to be made as before? Have we learned anything?
Now back to TARP
Necessary? That is another topic. It is a reality , However.

[TomasUSMC]

Put all those C E Os in J A I L.

Then get your money out of the banks.
Run on the banks before they run away with your money.