We All Merit A Bailout Of Some Kind

Posted on October 1st, 2008 by Neil Aquino

I think everybody merits a bailout of some kind. People merit bailouts for merely successfully existing in a tough world.

I don’t specifically mean a financial bailout like we are seeing on Wall Street right now–though if you want to lend somebody in need a few dollars that would be commendable—but just as a general matter. Everybody at some time needs a break.  

A bailout need not imply that someone has done anything wrong. It might simply suggest that, for whatever reason, things are not going as well as they could and somebody needs help.

I’m not saying that bad behavior should go unpunished…or even escape discussion. I’m not calling for amnesty. (Though if you are in a forgiving mood, you might want to consider amnesty for somebody in your life who you feel has done you wrong.) 

A bailout could be emotional, just reaching out to a person having a hard time. It could be about money. It could be helping a stranger in distress. It might involve forgiving somebody. It’s up to you to define. The kind of bailout I am talking about does not require an act of Congress.

This Wall Street Bailout is lousy. I think people both for and against it feel it is regrettable that we have come to this point.

This does not mean, though, that the entire concept of a bailout is bad. Use the idea of a bailout like the one in the news today as a starting point towards a positive act in your own life and in the lives of others.

We all need some kind of bailout sometimes.

Tags: General // 2 Comments »

  • Robin

    Thanks for the uplifting emotional bailout when things in this country seem so shabby.

  • margaret

    I think in my opinion is that the treasury secretary would decide who would get it who wouldn’t without a board deciding. We have been on such a wild ride the last 8 years being told that the appointees are the best of the best and it turns out they just kissed Bush’s tailend. If there was a board of people appointed by congress to oversee this work. Then it would be more accepted.

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