I disagree with this premise

[GoodWitch58]

Generally I believe technology and media can be a good thing. However, I believe our 24 hour news cycle is our worst enemy during these tough times.

I believe it is over the top that folks are calling for Geithner's head and the other knee jerk reactions we are seeing (e.g. 90% tax vote). Having a public speaking background I cannot help but think that Geithner's greatest offense so far is his on camera persona. He literally looks like a deer in headlights and doesn't exude confidence or charisma and this is being confused for a lack of knowledge and competence.

Obama has been in office for less than 4 months. Sure, there have been some missteps but realistically, what can we expect in terms of quantifiable results at this point?

Geo, I couldn't agree more. Just last night a friend and I were saying wouldn't it be a shame to see our country destroyed because of the antics of the "talking heads" It is disgusting--it's not news, or journalism, it's cheap entertainment but it carries a very heavy price tag these days.

 

[Geo]

Don't get me wrong. I am angry too about many things including the AIG bonuses. I believe Obama was done a disservice by his economic advisors on that one. But folks- I have heard that the dollar amt of those bonuses was equal to 1% of the total package. But the media sets the agenda and has caused all of us and our leaders to spend 90%+ of our time, energy, resources, etc. focusing on only 1% leaving what little attention is left for the important stuff!

 

[Miss Kitty]

Can anyone explain to me why Mr. Obama has not filled all the positions in the Treasury to help out Mr. Geithner? I am astounded that he doesn't have all the staff support he needs, especially during this crisis! Is it because of politics/inability to find people that have actually paid all their taxes? :roll:

 

[GoodWitch58]

I knew someone would have an idea:


http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/420275/spitzer_for_treasury?rel=emailNation


"Then there's a novel idea. Why not bring in the man who took on Wall Street and AIG long before it was trendy? Eliot Spitzer. Call me crazy. But he foresaw the bubbles and disasters resulting from deregulatory frenzy and the financial service industry's creation of toxic credit default swaps and derivatives. As the Sherriff of Wall Street, Spitzer launched investigations and lawsuits deploying the creative cudgel of the previously-obscure 1921 Martin Act. Yes, he acted miserably toward his wife and family and he should pay the price for that. But some believe Spitzer was taken down by certain "masters of the universe" seeking vengeance for his aggressive policing of their financial fraud and corruption. "

 

[6thGen]

what can we expect in terms of quantifiable results at this point?

Primum non nocere

 

[GoodWitch58]

and then, there is this from another point of view:

OnTheCommons.org ? We're in This Together

The dominant messages in the U.S. economy are “you are on your own” and “some people are going to be left behind.” Countering this isn’t easy. For many, talking about their economic anxiety and asking for help is difficult and shaming. But to survive the coming period of uncertainty, we must regain use of our mutual-aid muscles, many of which have atrophied from lack of use.

 

[Geo]

I knew someone would have an idea:


Spitzer for Treasury?


"Then there's a novel idea. Why not bring in the man who took on Wall Street and AIG long before it was trendy? Eliot Spitzer. Call me crazy. But he foresaw the bubbles and disasters resulting from deregulatory frenzy and the financial service industry's creation of toxic credit default swaps and derivatives. As the Sherriff of Wall Street, Spitzer launched investigations and lawsuits deploying the creative cudgel of the previously-obscure 1921 Martin Act. Yes, he acted miserably toward his wife and family and he should pay the price for that. But some believe Spitzer was taken down by certain "masters of the universe" seeking vengeance for his aggressive policing of their financial fraud and corruption. "

It doesn't matter what his qualifications are or whether or not he could actually make a difference. The guy got caught having sex. [end sarcasm]

 

[Miss Kitty]

It doesn't matter what his qualifications are or whether or not he could actually make a difference. The guy got caught having sex. [end sarcasm]

Dammm....he blew another job. :roll:

 

[Mango]

Can anyone explain to me why Mr. Obama has not filled all the positions in the Treasury to help out Mr. Geithner? I am astounded that he doesn't have all the staff support he needs, especially during this crisis! Is it because of politics/inability to find people that have actually paid all their taxes? :roll:

I think no one wants the job because they think Geitner will be thrown under the bus. There are currently 17 senior aide positions open.

I knew someone would have an idea:


Spitzer for Treasury?


"Then there's a novel idea. Why not bring in the man who took on Wall Street and AIG long before it was trendy? Eliot Spitzer. Call me crazy. But he foresaw the bubbles and disasters resulting from deregulatory frenzy and the financial service industry's creation of toxic credit default swaps and derivatives. As the Sherriff of Wall Street, Spitzer launched investigations and lawsuits deploying the creative cudgel of the previously-obscure 1921 Martin Act. Yes, he acted miserably toward his wife and family and he should pay the price for that. But some believe Spitzer was taken down by certain "masters of the universe" seeking vengeance for his aggressive policing of their financial fraud and corruption. "

I said that when the scandal erupted. Wall Street couldn't have been happier he was brought down. Spitzer would have looked over the AIG and Merrill contracts before handing money over.

Instead now, we've got Cuomo, NY's Attorney General, playing mafiosa politics threatening to expose the names of those who received bonuses if the don't return them. He said and I was shocked: "The Democratic attorney general said he did not intend to release the names of people who agreed to return their bonus payments. "My intention today is if a person returns the money, I don't believe there's a public interest in releasing the names," Cuomo said.
"People who do return the money, they would no longer be on our list."

At least Spitzer pointed out the laws that enabled the crisis in lieu of political school yard bullying like Cuomo. I do not agree with the bonuses, but to make the names of these people public is reprehensible.

Yes, we should be angry, but more so with partisan bickering and our elected officials jockeying to be in front of the camera making believe they are doing something important to protect their constituency.

 

[Linda]

Can anyone explain to me why Mr. Obama has not filled all the positions in the Treasury to help out Mr. Geithner? I am astounded that he doesn't have all the staff support he needs, especially during this crisis! Is it because of politics/inability to find people that have actually paid all their taxes? :roll:

I'll give this one a stab.

#1 He is filling out his NCAA bracket
#2. He is yucking it up with Jay Leno
#3. He was too busy selling the American people on a stimulus package that not even he bothered to read before he signed it.
#4. He is in campaign mode - trying to convince us to accept a budget that is unsustainable and will eventually bankrupt the country.
#5. He can't find anybody that has actually paid their taxes
#6. All of the above