The wealthy have controlled Congress for some time. The transfer is done...it went to the wealthy and influential already. I don't believe most Americans want aid; these issues didn't come up when Americans were working at worthwhile, decent-paying manufacturing jobs. Put Americans to work manufacturing, THAT'S the rising tide that lifts all boats. We've painted ourselves in a corner now...that's why no solutions are working.

Having things just given to ya' makes ya soul lazy and ungrateful (just my opinion).

I love the feeling of earning my work status & money. Granted there are some things I would love to have but, I've survived this long without them...I think I'll be ok. (there's a whole hell of a lot that I want....sigh)

Can you imagine the privileged no-longer being privileged? Watching them try to earn a dollar the way the rest of us do?! That would be one hell of a show.

yeah that's the able of mind and body, what about those that can not do for themselves?

I don't know,but if they give me riches, I'll be more than happy to give them a new image...I'd give the free stuff to those who needed it,or auction if off on ebay & donate it.

You look at the stars when they go to these special events,all the free stuff they get.

But oh,if the needy (which is becoming a larger and larger population) is given something, it is a handout,and they're lazy.

Damn,there's so many people that work their asses off and never get their fair share.

The thing is, it's so lopsided now, our society can't do it anymore. I live in a proud area. People do not want handouts. They want work. There isn't anything anymore. Not even for the holidays.

Plant closings,outsourcing,even the jobs you thought were safe are outsourced. We just had a plant close here and go to Mexico.

So many people that thought they would never be in the crisis they are in...because they did all the right things.

It's very scary because people are getting so desperate. I gave one of my coats to a neighbor's daughter(I'd wear it once in awhile,it was my daughter's but she never liked it) She didn't have a coat. Her and my grandaughter are the same age, the girl is tall for her age. My grandaughter told me,so I told her to tell her I was cleaning out the closet and she could have it.

Tony, you've got a valid question. I feel like if those that can get out and work and still can't make it, what about those who can't and don't "qualify for help"

Dum rich folks, we make them rich, if we're broke we can't support them. Stupid x 2 - the country can't make money if the workers who are being paid don't in turn spend it on stores and such in the country. The rich people alone spending money isn't enough to support the country, it needs 100% population support. They don't get it and what's really dumb is the continue to outsource even though we're sinking. In some news articles you see it's so bad the Mexicans are moving back to Mexico because if the work situation and why not..all the money they sent there is worth 3 times more.

Your whole post is right on the money...what I've said for months, which is why the bailout won't work. To others who may be unsure: take a glance at either Free Lunch by David Cay Johnston, most stuff by Lou Dobbs, some stuff--like Outrage, I think it's called--by Dick Morris. 'We been had.'