So, back to the core issue. What to do about the Presidency? Well, it goes back to me and my business. I am remaining clear in my vision and steadfast in my quest to achieve my goal. That’s what I expect from the next President as well. I won’t vote for my President based on his/her views on the economy, foreign policy or even a woman’s right to choose. I want a President who will issue an Executive Order on day one for a comprehensive investigation of the Bush Administration and Wall Street. I want a President who will enter the Oval Office determined to investigate, prosecute and ultimately restore our faith in our government. Both Barack Obama and John McCain seem to have that kind of spirit. But I need a commitment that has never been discussed in this political debate. I have one question to ask the Presidential candidates. This one question stands between the candidate and my vote. It’s simple and straightforward:
Before any investigation begins into the Bush Administration and Wall Street, will you pledge today that you will not issue any pardons, conditional or otherwise, to any member of the Bush Administration including George W. Bush himself? In that same regard, will you pledge that there will be no pardons issued to any individual who may be found guilty of wrongdoing in bringing about this financial collapse?
That's it. Plain and simple. Is that too much to ask?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Dave Nalle
Very impassioned, Silas. Two questions, though.
How will the nation heal and come back together if we start a witch hunt directed at people who remain absolutely convinced that they did the things some think are terribly wrong for the good of the country? We make fanatics and martyrs by following that course.
Also, can we demand equal accountability for Chris Dodd, Barack Obama and Obama's advisers like Raines and Johnson? And how about ACORN and the legions of Democrats sucking at the teat of the Fannie Mae money machine?
Dave
2 - Silas Kain
I understand your point, David. It's not really a witch hunt I am after. All I want is the truth. I want full disclosure. What happened every step of the way? For us not to repeat these mistakes requires a close examination of the events and politics leading to this point. I talked to an economics professor last night here in Boston. He's a rabid Democrat and made it quite clear to me that he is grateful John McCain pulled these theatrics. He is concerned, as I, that Congress will rush into making a decision which could have severe ramifications.
I never fully understood the gravity of this crisis until last night. After a few points were brought to light, I could see why this learned man who has been the epitome of "cool" in all the years I've known him, could become so unglued. He foresees a catastrophe that will make the Great Depression look like the Roaring 20's. There was no drama to his explanation just a methodical presentation of facts. And the shocker is many "liberal" economists are cheering for John McCain's "intervention" behind the scenes.
Yes, Dave, I think we can demand equal accountability. I go so far as to say that I would expect nothing less. The only thing that motivates these 535 members of Congress is the upcoming elections. Madam Pelosi has been Speaker for two years and she has been ineffective. Women across this land should be ashamed of the manner in which Nancy Pelosi as the most powerful woman in Government could be so inept. Congressional negotiators are trying to devise a bailout in their rush to recess and hit the campaign trail. That does not bode well for the rest of us. Let the chips fall where they may, Dave. It's time to purge Washington. We've got the opportunity. Lord knows we've got the justification. And yes, only the Lord knows if we Americans will have the guts to put America first before their local Representative.
3 - Ruvy
Silas,
Your article, admirable as it is, and as much as i can sort of agree with it (looking at things as an American rather than as an Israeli) is eight years too late. I said the exact same thing to Mike Johnston, who seemed to have written an article in a similar spirit. I leave you with the words of the prophetess Hulda, found in Kings II and in the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel:
"...Thus said Hashem: Behold, I am bringing evil upon this place and its inhabitants...because they have forsaken Me and burned offerings to the gods of others. My wrath has been incited against this place and it will not be extinguished..."
For all that, I wish you luck with your business venture. May you discover that you are on the bottom of the canyon, rather than on a ledge about to collapse....
4 - Eagle Eye
I beleive you are on the right track , but i also beleive that with all the parties involved it would be larger than imaginable.
I feel that the leaders involved, in the house and senate are trying to cover up their mess as we speak to protect themselves from being pushed out of power during the next election.
They would have to go back to the Carter Administration to do the proper investigation, and what a black eye that would be
5 - Arch Conservative
Well Silas there aren't too many calling for Bush's impeachment /investigation of his administration that would entertain the thought of invesitgating anyone on the other side of the aisle.
I have no problem with investigating Bush and his administration as long as there is probable cause. It would be a shame to waste millions of dollars on an investigation because some moonbat woke up one morning, went down to his parents basement and started posting all kinds of conspiracy theories on the daily kos about the current administration that people started taking seriously. If there is real evidence of wrong doing from credible sources then have at it.
I'd like to see there be a mjor investigation into Obama's ties to Acorn, the group itself what with thier habit of committing voter fraud, and the Dems efforts to funnel them millions as part of the baikout.
6 - Cindy D
I enjoyed your article Silas. Still, I have one comment:
Were it not for John McCain, this Pelosi-Bush financial bailout would have been pushed through with no consideration of its ultimate ramifications.
You can't get there from here.
7 - Silas Kain
Ruvy: thank you for the good wishes. As we've discussed, my partner was born in Armenia at a time when the Soviets ruled with an iron fist. He's told me countless stories about the horrors his family endured after the great earthquake. And I can't even begin to imagine how tough it must have been for them. He tells me that Katrina and the government involvement (or lack thereof) in its aftermath times 100 is close to what they went through. It's a sobering thought. He's also told me about upon arrival in this country he heard so many stories about the thousands of dollars in relief that were sent by Americans. Guess what? Those villagers NEVER saw a penny of it. The Soviets made quite a profit on that "natural" disaster. When one considers the behaviors of FEMA, state and local governments, it is apparent that there was plenty of mismanagement both in financial and material aid. This is a matter which requires the attention of the Department of Justice. Insofar as our new venture is concerned, we are confident that we will ride the storm. I've learned a great deal from him and his family in the art of survival — Armenian-style. So if there's ever another attack on this soil, I may be one of the lucky ones who survive.
Eagle Eye: I agree that those who are in office today are most concerned about their respective reelections. That is their primal motivating force in pushing this package through. As Ms. Pelosi and her Senate counterpart, Mr. Reid stood before the cameras in the wee hours, I was sickened. I say without any reservation that I detest Harry Reid most of all. He has done nothing but play politics during this entire ordeal and used every opportunity he could to make John McCain out to be the bad guy. He is an embarrassment to his constituency and the Senate. He is equally as guilty as the members on the other side of the aisle for perpetuating this ongoing polarization of Congress. It has to stop. I just can't grasp why more Americans don't get it? Or is it that we've stopped teaching government, accountability and real American history in our public school systems? And the result is a society completely disengaged from the reality of American politics. Republicans with all their rhetoric about being the party of morals, values and yes, Jesus Christ are the most guilty. They hide in the shadow of the Cross, chanting hymns to their Lord and Savior proclaiming His word and that they are doing the "Lord's Work". That "golden" bull which stands in the heart of New York's financial district is the God of today's Republicanism. Senator Larry Craig is the epitome of the hypocrisy which exists within the party from which I came. I am ashamed to even admit today that I was once a staunch Republican. But don't get me wrong. The Democrats are no better. They just substitute Christianity with their claims about preserving liberty and justice for all. It's one big fat joke and the American people are paying a hefty price.
Arch: I know where you're coming from. I don't want to see millions of dollars spent on an investigation but have we a choice at this juncture? I don't want G.W. Bush impeached. It's too late for that. However, I do not object to his prosecution if it is determined that he violated laws during his tenure in the Oval Office. What I ultimately fear is that there will be a showdown in the Hague next year. What happens if a country or group go before the International Court with Articles of Indictment for war crimes against George W. Bush? Has anyone stopped to consider the possibility? Of course not. That's a subject that's not discussed here in the States. However, it is a matter discussed abroad; hence it's a real possibility.
Whatever Obama's ties are to ACORN is insignificant compared to what this country has endured during the Bush Administration. Granted there are previous administrations who share the blame. But this Administration, in alliance with the Democrats, crossed the line 7 years ago and they must be held fully accountable for their actions, period.
Cindy: Glad you enjoyed it. If I recall (and if I am wrong please correct me), Barney Frank, Harry Reid and other Democrat leaders accused McCain of grandstanding and screwing up the works in the bailout bill as it was presented last week. This morning they're all singing a new tune about this new bail out package and how much better it is. Hmmm. What happened to all the rhetoric spewed out by Barney Frank and Harry Reid? They accused McCain of playing "Presidential" politics while they were playing politics themselves in the frantic rush to get out of Washington and return to their homes to campaign for reelection. I liked Barney Frank and considered him one of my heroes. Then I saw how he played this game. And I dug deeper. I learned how the affordable housing industry has been filling his campaign war chest for years. Take a look at his election finance reports. They're a who's who of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and countless private real estate management companies who make their profits off the taxpayer by way of rent subsidies and other HUD programs. This is a man I once admired as a role model to gay America. Today I look at him as a typical Washington elitist who cares nothing about the rest of us and will spare no expense to preserve the power he has accumulated over the years.
Folks, we need election reform as urgently as we need a plan to get us through this financial crisis. We're in over our heads and most of America hasn't figured it out yet. We also need a new mandate in our public school systems that place personal responsibility, accountability and civic duty into the curriculum at equal footing with the three R's.
In my conversation the other night with my economist friend, I got the sense that he was predicting the disintegration of the United States. And I asked if it could really happen. A few of my friends laughed at the whole notion saying that I was being dramatic. Then my partner interrupted and mentioned his native land and the political turmoil and fallout behind the iron curtain. In a blink of an eye the Soviet Union became a part of history. He was there. He saw it happen with his own eyes. This little experiment in democracy is at a crossroads. We Americans are faced with some tough choices in the days ahead. This isn't a Democrat problem. Nor is it a Republican problem. It is OUR problem and we need to fix it.
8 - troll
...it appears that Congress is going to punt the decision on who 'pays' for the loss in this scam and how 5 years down the road to the Administration in office then
way to go guys - I guess that'll calm the mighty markets
9 - Cindy D
Barney Frank, Harry Reid and other Democrat leaders accused McCain of grandstanding and screwing up the works in the bailout bill as it was presented last week. This morning they're all singing a new tune about this new bail out package and how much better it is.
In what way do they credit this to McCain's intervention? That is the part I am missing.
10 - Lisa Solod Warren
Silas
1 McCain did nothing. The conservative Repubs were deadlocked, the Dems were close to being in agreements. McCain said nothing, did nothing. Bush as asked by the Dems to see if he could get his guys in line. McCain has no idea how he felt or what to do.... he was more in line with moderate Repubs and Dems than the Repub hardliners. You haven't done your research. McCain just slowed down the process further.
2. McCain, for supporting this war and talking about winning, for supporting the Repubs who really supported the policies that got us deep into this mess, does not deserve to be president for ONE MINUTE.
3. Bush should still be impeached. If not he should at the least be prosecuted.
3a Charges should also be filed against Cheney, Blackwater, etc.
4. All those who were complicit in the money scandal should be inidicted and punished.
5. the FBI should continue its investigation into fraud and broaden it.
6. I agree the ACORN thing is bullshit and there are as many or more voting violatons among Repubs. ACORN is not directly linked to Obama and Dave needs to stop sounding like a broken record.
11 - Dave Nalle
Silas, as you may have noticed I have been notably silent in the writing of articles on the subject of the bailout. Too many things about it trouble me and as a result I've started about a dozen articles and finished none of them. Well, I've almost finished one.
One of the things which bothers me is that I find myself agreeing with the wrong people too much on this issue. The fact that I read an article by Paul Krugman and it made sense and didn't make me want to slap him has me very worried. If Krugman and I are on the same page about something it's a sign of the apocalypse.
Dave
12 - Dave Nalle
1 McCain did nothing. The conservative Repubs were deadlocked, the Dems were close to being in agreements. McCain said nothing, did nothing. Bush as asked by the Dems to see if he could get his guys in line. McCain has no idea how he felt or what to do.... he was more in line with moderate Repubs and Dems than the Repub hardliners. You haven't done your research. McCain just slowed down the process further.
Just by showing up McCain gave the Republicans additional strength to resist and delay the bailout. That's the role he played, and as you point out, it worked.
2. McCain, for supporting this war and talking about winning, for supporting the Repubs who really supported the policies that got us deep into this mess, does not deserve to be president for ONE MINUTE.
You see, right there you've lost a lot of potential supporters, because however wrong Bush may have been in various ways, a lot of reasonable people think that tyranny and terror ought to be opposed, and even more think that McCain's approach to it was right even if Bush's was wrong.
3. Bush should still be impeached. If not he should at the least be prosecuted.
3a Charges should also be filed against Cheney, Blackwater, etc.
For what? You need crimes here. If you prosecute people for actions which they can reasonably argue are patriotic you just lose in the long run.
4. All those who were complicit in the money scandal should be inidicted and punished.
Including Obama?
5. the FBI should continue its investigation into fraud and broaden it.
You do realize that this puts Democratic majorities in the house and senate at risk, right?
6. I agree the ACORN thing is bullshit and there are as many or more voting violatons among Repubs. ACORN is not directly linked to Obama and Dave needs to stop sounding like a broken record.
Good grief. You really must be kidding. Obama was on the board of Project Vote as well as working for them as a trainer. They're 100% funded by ACORN. He was also ACORN's lawyer in the Chicago area for 2 years. The connections are indisputable. Obama is an Alinskyite. No escaping or denying it, sorry Lisa.
Dave
13 - Lisa Solod Warren
The FBI is investigating the companies..... not the senators.
Get RID of lobbyists. Leave the congress alone.
If ACORN is investigated, then go back to 2000 and see what happens with the Florida vote...
How can you reasonably argue it is patriotic to invade a country and topple its leader based on false intel, then kill thousands of its people as acceptable collateral damage, searching for a man who was never there? Patriotic to whom?
You are giving McCain props for something he did not do.
14 - Joanne Huspek
"The President doesn’t have the ultimate control of the checkbook. Your Congressperson does. Don’t be of the mindset that it’s everyone else’s Congressperson and not your own."
I heard MY congressman, Thaddeus McCotter, on the radio Friday, and it sounded like the top of his head was going to blow off from the misreported hijinx in the Beltway this week. As he corrected stated, the Republicans are the minority in the house. The Dems could have passed whatever legislation they wanted without the Republican support, but instead they crybabied about how the House Republicans upset the apple cart. (Good for him for dragging his feet and asking pertinent questions.)
This makes for grand theater and politics, but I'm wondering just WHO is truly concerned about the people back home.
15 - Daniel Miller
Joanne,
I'm wondering just WHO is truly concerned about the people back home. I question whether anybody is, even "the people back home."
If they were truly concerned, perhaps they might vote for people more likely to leave more of the tax money "back home" rather than send it to Washington to be spent in the most politically advantageous ways, after deductions for the overhead involved in getting it to D.C., distribution as politically convenient subsidies, and then getting bits of it "back home" in the form of earmarks.
The various polls showing our abysmal confidence in the Congress in general also show substantial confidence in the Members from the interviewees' own districts.
Unfortunately, if the "people back home" are not all that concerned, who can be expected to be?
Dan(Miller)
16 - Arch Conservative
Dave, you forgot to mention that Obama has taken donations from Acorn in every one of his camapigns from State Senator to the one he's currently running.
But I guess Lisa thinks Obama taking money from an organization that has been convicted of voter fraud in multiple states and is facing similiar charges in a host of other states is not an issue because he's a Democrat. Corruption and illegal actions are only objectionable when those committing the act have an R after their name right Lisa?
It's quite obvious that she is a die hard partisan. We all know that die hard partisans, wether they be D or R, are not interested in objectivity, honesty, or the truth. They're only interested in glorifying their party while tearing down the other at the expense of the afroementioned concepts.
17 - Cindy D
Just by showing up McCain gave the Republicans additional strength to resist and delay the bailout.
On the other hand as Reid has pointed out, the whole thing seemed to stall as the Republicans backed-up from their earlier progress toward compromise to allow McCain time to pull his stunt so that he could later appear to have saved the day.
One might wonder how their resistance and delay helped anything. Or, one might simply like the fairy tale better without questions like that.
18 - Lisa Solod Warren
Joanne, your congressperson has had 6 1/2 or more years to pass whatever legislation he liked, including reforming wall street, fannie mae, freedie mac, etc. blame him, if you like...
The dems were the ones who held Paulson's feet the fire and did not give him a blank check....
the conservative repubs dragged their feet, yes, but in the end just wanted less regulation.
there is enough blame to go around.
the dems have been in "power" less than two years, with a only a majority in the house for a year.....
get over yourselves. the repubs have held the house, senate, and the presidency (save for clinton's term since bush sr....)
Arch, you are you voting for?
19 - Arch Conservative
Harry Reid?
Did he happen to mention that the Dems had verbiage written into the bill that would allow them to funnel money to their left wing cronies at groups like Acorn?
I have a little hypothetical for you guys......
If I sued Barney Frank for a couple of grand because his ugly, lying, ignorant, lisping mug came on my plasma tv causing me to fly into a rage and throw somthing at him...what are the odds that I would get a sympathetic judge who would not only award me the funds to replace my television set but also throw in something a little extra for the punitive damages I suffered by having to listen to Barney Frank for approximately 3.8 seconds?
20 - Cindy D
Arch,
I see. The fact that the plan had ANYTHING the Republicans did not like is absolute evidence that McCain saved the day.
21 - Arch Conservative
"Arch, you are you voting for?"
Ummm....were you intending to ask me who I'm voting for?
Chuck Baldwin.
Cindy...who the hell said anyhting about McCain saving the day?
22 - bliffle
Gee, from all the bad things I've heard about this ACORN outfit they must really be terrible!
They must have been convicted of many many crimes. How many crimes have they been convicted of guys?
No fair counting indictments, since we all know that you can get an indictment against a ham sandwich.
23 - Dave Nalle
ACORN Convictions:
3 in Kansas, 2 in Colorado, 4 in Wisconsin, 5 in Washington state - that's in the last 2 years without doing more than a quick google search.
If I wanted a complete count I'd also search for subsidiary groups like Project Vote.
IMO ACORN is in the top 5 for the most dangerous groups in the country right now. Not because they are potential terrorists like the Dominionists, but because they are so large and absolutely dedicated to destroying the democratic process.
Read some Alinsky, Bliffle. It's eyeopening.
Dave
24 - Jordan Richardson
IMO ACORN is in the top 5 for the most dangerous groups in the country right now.
Out of curiosity, what would be the other four? UNICEF, Amnesty, OXFAM, and the Commies?
25 - Lisa Solod Warren
yes, left out the who.
Now I need to ask.
Who the heck is Chuck Baldwin?