I've heard a lot of apocalyptic descriptions of what will happen if the bailout isn't passed.  There's certainly a chance that these ultra pessimists could be correct, but I think we should take our chances without this type of bailout.  Think about this: The government is being asked to absorb losses on securities that no one else wants.  Is this the place of government?  I can understand some politicians supporting the bailout in its current form,  but lots of politicians who consistently rail against big government were actually supporting the government getting into big business.  We would be buying toxic securities that no one else wants, then holding onto them until they appreciate in the hopes of gaining a profit.  The government would be playing the market!

     As the negotiations went on, the bailout plan evolved into a better plan than the one that was initially proposed.  With that said, it was still dangerous.  An approval of this bailout would have pushed government past a precipice that would be difficult to retreat from.  With or without the bailout, we are likely looking at a recession.  We might have benefited economically from passing the bailout, but in the end, we would have lost so much more.