Greedy do not deserve to be rewarded

It appears that by the time this opinion reaches the editorial page, you and I - every American taxpayer - will be on the hook for a $700 billion bailout of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Lehman Bros., etc. The experts tell us the government - you and me - has to do this in order to avoid an economic meltdown. But not to worry, they tell us, we're looking out for the American taxpayer. If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.

Obviously these experts in Washington are smarter than I am, but this whole bailout thing reeks. Wall Street greed ruled their corporate culture, banks approved mortgages to people who could not make payments, and individuals went into debt for houses they couldn't afford. I believe these Wall Street firms should be allowed to go out of business, not be rewarded for their greed. I believe the banks that greedily rushed to make questionable loans, should sink out of sight. I believe individuals who agreed to make mortgage payments on houses they couldn't afford should suffer the consequences. Accountability and responsibility …  where have they gone?

So we go through a few years of tough times. Maybe that's just what the doctor ordered. We Americans think we are entitled to everything we want whenever we want it. We take our affluence for granted. Recessions and depressions have come and gone. This will, too. No bailout. No rewards for those whose greed trumped all else.

STEVE BRIXEN

Sandpoint