How much would passing stimulus hurt TARP II

[Still Sensible]

One thing that concerns me is that one area the stimulus does not address is the mortgage crisis and an incredibly high number of people who are either already out of their homes or on the verge. We are told the administration intends to deal with that problem in the second installment of TARP funds.

How much harder will it be to get those TARP funds--with more strings to bankers and more help for vulnerable homeowners--immediately after getting the stimulus passed?

[backscatter712]

1. I'll trade TARP for stimulus.

Give less money to rich country-club bankers who spend the money on Learjets and trips to Vegas, and give more money to struggling American workers.

Explain to me why that would be bad?

[Still Sensible]

2. I don't disagree, but that's not my point

There is absolutely nothing--zilch, zip, zero--in the stimulus to address the mortgage crisis and people continue to lose their homes every day. The issue is supposed to be addressed in the second half of the TARP funds.

[Mike 03]

3. I have to agree with you. Some of the TARP funds have been spent

disgracefully, and the lack of rules about how that money should have been used is shameful.

Initially I was for TARP, by the way.