Bailouts and the budget

Bailouts: Necessary for stability or corporate welfare?

We have to encourage some risk by companies, and not bailing them out at this stage would only put the economy in an even more precarious position. Bailing out companies who've gambled and lost is irresponsible and only grows an already bloated federal budget. view results comments

AIG bailout: $85 billion
Bear Stearns bailout: $29 billion
Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bailout: $200 billion

2008 Stimulus checks: $152 billion

Even though these bailout figures are technically "loans," this is some serious spending (borrowing) by any standard, and this doesn't include those who haven't arrived at the trough yet. These three bailouts add up to over $4,500 for each American family of four.