Obscenities

The AP reports that six banks have repurchased investments the government made under TARP, paying a total of $626 million including dividends. This was reported by the Treasury Department on Dec. 29, 2010.

With the latest payments, repayments by financial institutions under the Troubled Asset Relief Program now total $235 billion, with an additional $35 billion in income from dividends, interest, and the sale of other securities. The Treasury Department released a total $389 billion under TARP, created at the height of the financial crisis in October 2008.

And now I'm reading stories about big spending going on with the fat cats in the Wall St. banking and investment industry. Like nuttin' ever happened. Cars that cost $175,000. A house rental for one month at $200,000. WTF? It's not as if they've met their financial obligations to us, the taxpayer.

Banks and financial institutions still owe the Treasury about $155 billion in bailout money. So, when's that coming? Surely before any more bonuses, right guys? Guys? GUYS?!!

And that other obscenity devoted to excess, the Oprah show and it's holiday giveaways. Please. In light of all that is wrong, broken and dying in our country right now, her giveaways just want to make me cry. Instead of fancy diamond watches and designer footwear, how about feeding the hungry and lifting the unemployed out of joblessness? Ralph Lauren Long Sleeve Cashmere Sweater and Cashmere Cable Throws? Costing $1,1000? $1,000 to customize your closet? Really? For the full list of excess, see here.

I'm with the Good Rev. Billy: JUST STOP SHOPPING. In addition to buying a lot of crap you don't need, to impress people you don't like, all this junk will end up in a land-fill you don't want in your backyard. Where will all this excess go when we are bored with it or it has become last season's style? Hint: it goes somewhere here on our tiny earth. And someday, in a community near you, it will all come back and bite us in the ass.