[serious] Bailout

[Fake Boris]

No, they issued debt to pay for TARP and related programs, and received financial assets (debt and equity). They have retired various pieces of these programs and received back the initial purchase price (and more) for some parts (mark-to-market, the AIG component is just below breakeven currently). 700 billion for which you receive fungible assets of equal value is not "spending". 700 billion which you give to homeowners is. The US national debt is no bigger for the various bank bailouts than it would have been otherwise, while blowing 700 billion on people who don't/won't pay you back would have increased the US national debt.

The idea that the US taxpayer gave 700 billion to the banks is idiotic, and anybody who asserts they did is a moron.

Relax, I just didn't know this. The thread question has obviously been answered.