A TAXPAYER BAILOUT!

The Government has tried unconditional bailouts, loans and investment in stock to benefit Wall Street, the Banks and the Auto Companies in trying to solve the credit crisis; and reportedly some progress is being made, all at the expense of the taxpayer. Perhaps we should try a plan that would also be a benefit to the taxpayers? Perhaps something like a "Patriot Bond Issue" backed by the government and drawn on the bailout recipients. The bonds could yield reasonable interest (3-4% paid by the bailout recipients) with the interest tax exempt to a reasonsable annual limit of $10,000 or so, and the bonds would be made available for purchase by US taxpayers.

This private investment could wipe out the enormous debt the government has taken on and it would be more compatible with our private business enterprise system while affording the taxpayers a safe investment opportunity to supplement social security.

It is obvious that the stock market is not a reliable plan for retirement security and perhaps a safer, less ambitious investment plan would be a more realistic approach.