Why is Congress so Classist?

I simply do not understand. Congress had no problem handing Wall Street $700 BILLION with no questions asked just 2 months ago. They didn't make Wall Street CEOs work for $1.00. They didn't make Wall Street employees forgo bonuses or benefits or take cuts in salary. They let AIG have their spa weekends on my dime (hey Uncle Sam, I'd like a massage too!).

Yet the Big 3, which employs hundreds of thousands Americans directly and probably a couple million Americans in ancillary industries, can't get a measly $34 billion LOAN? The Big 3 asked for less than 5% of what Wall Street got handed to them on a silver platter and Congress refuses to give it to them.

Until a few minutes ago, Congress seemed to be willing to give them about $15 billion (less than 1/2 of what they asked for), but that seems to have just fallen apart thanks to some asshole GOPers. If they'd been able to reach an agreement to give the American automobile industry a loan, there were going to be all kinds of stipulations - CEOs working for $1, employees receive huge salary and benefits cuts, and more.

Call me crazy, but this feels very classist to me. Wall Street is white collar while the Big 3 is blue collar. Just one more example of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer under George W. Bush. Why are we so willing to save Wall Street, but not Main Street?

Update 10:47pm: I'm watching CNN and they're reporting about how AIG is giving "retention payments" to employees earning between $160,000 - $3 million and the payments are up to $1 million! Now you may be wondering what these "retention payments" are. Well, they're BONUSES. And yet Congress is letting the Big 3 die. Nice. I don't think I've ever been so ashamed of my government and I've got a lot to be embarrassed by given that I live in Illinois.

Gift Buying Guide for Little Merry Sunshine

Are you like much of the rest of the world population and struggling with what to get me for Christmas? Fret not. You are not alone.

Probably the most popular question I get from my fans this time of year is "Little Merry Sunshine, you are so beautiful and talented that I am compelled to shower you with Christmas gifts. What can I get a woman like you that is personal and shows how much I think of you?"

This is a GREAT question and I appreciate it more than you know. So with that in mind, I present the Gift Buying Guide for Little Merry Sunshine. Of course, I'll be presenting my Gift Guide for all of your other gift recipients in the near future.

1. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin



2. Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise by Barack Obama


3. The West Wing Complete Series Box Set

4. Make a donation to Lake Forest College in my honor. Call Mark Mollenhauer or Derek Lambert at LFC for how to make a donation in my honor. Not only can you give me a gift that makes me happy, but you'll get a tax deduction too!

5. Gift certificate for a massage from Northwest Massage Therapy.

6. Mani/pedi gift certificate.

7. Pretty personalized stationary, using my real name, not Little Merry Sunshine.

8. Warm & Fuzzy Slippers.

9. The Beauty Blender Starter Kit plus the travel-size Cleanser.

10. Lavender Linen Mist.

11. Bottles of wine or champagne are always welcome gifts.

Last year, I wrote a post about gifts in the $15-20 range that you might also look to for ideas.

Good luck!