White Lightning
Banned
I know this is a bit of contratriety as the Democrats are as deeply in the pockets of the big banks as Republicans. But let us imagine the composite of the Democratic legislature was much more in line with our current more Liberal/Socialist leanings and maybe even a bit further left. Let’s say at this time 10 years ago when Tresury Secretary Paulson came before Congress asking for billions in handouts to save the financial system with no questions asked and no strings attached, the Democratic base reject this proposal out of hand and not even Pelosi can corral her legislators to the table. What if the Democrats come back with exorbitant demands of acquiring a piece of the banks for their loans, the automatic termination of all CEO’s and an open book to see all transactions, an exorbitant interest to be paid off yearly, and finally a reciprical bailout of the homeowners left underwater or evicted from the housing crash?
First would Paulson try to negotiate terms of the deal or simply reject this kind of blackmail out of hand? Would Bush simply call the Democrats bluff on the belief that if Democrats voted against TARP and the stock market crashed, they would get the blame? Could such a stand by Democrats actually galvanize voters and give them an even bigger electoral landslide than they got or turn off moderates to this type of militaristic populism?
First would Paulson try to negotiate terms of the deal or simply reject this kind of blackmail out of hand? Would Bush simply call the Democrats bluff on the belief that if Democrats voted against TARP and the stock market crashed, they would get the blame? Could such a stand by Democrats actually galvanize voters and give them an even bigger electoral landslide than they got or turn off moderates to this type of militaristic populism?