Results tagged “bailout” from iVillage - Beehive

After weeks of speculation, anxiety and a whole lot of rhetoric, it seemed that the huge stimulus package was the jump start needed to get the country's financial health back on track. As President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, some wondered how quickly that relief might be seen. On the Conservative Parents message board, President Obama's speech was met with a bit of skepticism.  

"My thought, when he laid out plan after plan of massive spending projects and then followed up with how he was going to cut the deficit, was 'HOW???' I just don't see how he can say he's going to spend all this money on top of the stimulus plan and still be able to cut the deficit. It just doesn't seem possible." -- gal_lila

Ok, so you might expect a certain amount of resistance from those on the other side of the aisle, but confusion about the stimulus plan and wariness about Obama's address also permeated the comments of those who were still hopeful. Moms from our September 2005 and March 2008 playgroups weighed in with their thoughts -- and concerns -- about the stimulus plan: 

As Congress and US automakers dance around a deal for the proposed industry bailout, women on the Feminism Today message board are kicking the tires on this plan, debating the cause of the crisis and sizing up the auto industry in general:

"I was born and raised in Detroit, so say what you will. I feel very sad to see this city fail and witness the very buildings that my own father spent his life constructing, sitting abandoned and tortured while I read about it in the news; it is a cruel joke." -- annieoliver

"There is a wonderful opportunity here to make this money go towards a purpose that helps in many ways - people working on the stations, people still building cars, us being less dependent on oil as a result. The government is in a unique position to break the problem of what comes first - [natural gas] cars or [natural gas] stations. " -- cl-llhaesa

"The auto makers have just not been responding to our needs. Do I think we should bail them out? No! The US auto industry has had over 30 years to respond to these needs (70s gas crisis anyone?) and has done nothing. As much as I hate to see people lose their jobs, I'm starting to feel this is the only way to get through to this industry." -- sillygrrl13

"A big part of the current auto crisis is obsolete and/or poor quality products. One of their tactics was simply to change the name of a vehicle if it didn't sell well. As if people didn't buy it because of the name? Management is the one that decides these things. Another part [of this] is that US car companies would finance anyone while the foreign car companies wouldn't."  -- hottlipps

"I'm not blaming the unions for this problem. It is bad management that got them here. HOWEVER, I'm also pointing out that American auto workers are amongst the highest paid in the world, which contributes to the high prices charged for the vehicles no one wants to buy." -- cl-sandybryant

What do you think about the Big Three bailout plan? Do you think the government should help the auto industry stay afloat or is it just too much, too late? Chime in here with your take and let me know if you're being affected by the automakers' crisis.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, the stock market took a huge dive yesterday as Congress rejected the bailout bill many felt was the only option available to stem the current economic crisis that now appears to be wreaking havoc on global markets. Of course, others aren't convinced and are skeptical that the bailout will do anything significant to help the everyday American. The prevailing sentiments around the iVillage community, though, include lot of anxiety, confusion and frustration. Reaction to the latest bailout news rippled across many boards, but a very raw and spirited discussion unfolded on the Politics Today, where most agreed that this is one case where politics need to be set aside:

"I really hope I never see a day when my credit card or ATM card cease to work because the financial system seizes, but that day could possibly be a blessing in disguise. One thing is clear, our incumbent Congressional representatives need to go. I don't care what political party you favor. DON'T VOTE FOR INCUMBENTS!" -- glitter_girl_5000

"We may never get a clear answer as to why this bail out failed; our politicians are like children, constantly blaming someone else for something that has happened. -- carey239

"It's the current investors and creditors of the failing institutions who chose to make the risky investments to begin with. It is they who should shoulder the losses." -- janetlz

"In the end, I think it might be best to feel the pain and, hopefully, the government will still have the resources to rescue the real economy. If the choice comes down to saving Wall Street over saving Main Street, then I'm willing to take a pass on Wall Street bailout and wait until we get some decent legislation." -- glitter_girl_5000  

"I am so frustrated with BOTH parties for acting like babies. I am frustrated with McCain and Obama for not being leaders.  Neither one did what needed to be done. Neither one stepped up to the plate... however, BOTH have done a great job at blaming the other guy. I am disgusted." -- arizonadingo

"If the Democrats actually wanted this bill to pass, it would have...235 to 199 (with the independent going either way). The Republicans are responsible for a lot of things, but Democratic Party disunity and the Democrat's inability to get legislation passed when they are the majority are not two of them." -- philmercer66

"Alleviating the current situation with a "makeshift" bunch of ideas that don't seem to work well together, makes little sense if no plans exist to keep it from occurring again in real short order!"  -- sistah_w

"Politics being played out at the expense of the country, in my opinion, by both sides. I blame politics and worrying about re-election." -- antineocon

"If a patch is all we can get now, I guess that is better than nothing.  But I'd like to understand what in the bill that didn't pass is of concern, and how can it be fixed.  I'd also like to understand the implication of no action and any action."  -- alicia2210

 

Related: Financial crisis: What you should know (via msnbc.com)