What you are saying is idealistic in a nice way and can be considered treason in this post-Bush USA.

The link between financial institutions and politicians go a looong way: to the civil war days when Lincoln borrowed humongous amount of money to finance a devastating war run cluelessly by him and his generals and pure luck favoring his victories.

Look, bankers (& insurers) are linked to politicians in a symbiotic relationship.

Politicians promise a lot of things to their voters to get elected. Like new schools, roads, parks and all that crap. Now, where do you get the money?

From new taxes??? Nooo... that makes them extremely unpopular and not get elected them a second time.

So, now bankers come along and provide them with fractional banking (i mean, no other industry can issue receipts certifying it has more stock than it has).

The bankers tell the politicians that they can borrow as much as they want from bankers and repay them with interest through taxes levied in future.

In return they want this industry to be least regulated.

Our politicians jump at the chance: what better way than to be able to "fulfil" all "aspirations" of their voters at no cost to them. (the fact that future generations are indebted to bankers does not enter their thick skulls).

That is why bankers are able to get away with almost anything:

1) Usury interest rates for credit cards

2) Law changes that force a bankrupt to pay credit card dues before alimony.

3) Bonuses to failed executives

4) Bailouts on demand

Our politicians, in addition, go to work in the bankers' officers after retiring from senate/congress. So they need to keep them in good spirits.

Not many congressmen go to work at GM or FORD.

Which is why when GM, FORD and Chyrlser came to town with begging bowls, they were routed.

OTOH, AIG was force-fed hundreds of billions so that the politicians' present donors and future employers are happy.

Which is why ABSOLUTELY NOTHING will be done by politicians about these bonuses.

From Obama down, Pelosi, Geithner and every one will blow a lot of hot air, but will NOT lift a finger to stop these bonuses.

After all, how difficult it is for the President to lift a phone and ask FBI to pick the CEO of AIG for suspected Fraud?

Nope. Until AIG execs voluntarily give up the money (which they will not), this episode will be forgotten and supplanted by the corporate press by a much bigger scandal.

Just wait and watch...

Oh, and you suggestions of asking people to withdraw money enmasse from banks, opening credit unions... nahhh

The president is one step ahead of you.

Bank holiday will be declared indefinitely until you come to your senses or die of hunger (whichever happens quicker).

Stupid idealistic dumbass.

Tremble n fear

Why? You are going to sue them, personally? Under what clause?

You are not personally affected by AIG's action.

Did you pay AIG directly and make them sign a contract?

NO..

You donated your tax money to the Government.

The law allows the government to fritter your money away in any way it sees fit. And you can't do a damn thing about it.

Stop talking like its your money.

Because its NOT.

One Word: NO

When our Representatives in government fail us it is time to do what we can to create a more perfect union.

What are you gonna do? Revolution?

Hell, your ass will be kicked till you get to Gitmo. And that's just for starters.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Aren't you sweet?

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

That's it. Enough talking moron.

What part of what i said earlier you did not understand?

Are you drunk, or you incredibly stupid?

You wanted change and Hope and elected Obama.

And what does he go and do? Shovel out tax money to AIG!

Money which could have built better streets, schools, lights, parks, highways, broadband, better PBS.

Don't you see? It doesn't matter who you elect, as long as you elect a candidate presented by establishment from either of the parties, this is what you get.

Bush screwed you without your permission.

This guy will screw you with your permission and 64% popularity.

Welcome to Earth.

Look, lets face facts. Congress will blow a lot of hot air and Dodd will act contrite.

Republicans will demand Geithner's head and blame Obama if he resigns.

Democrats will keep quiet because they don't want to be seen supporting AIG or opposing Obama.

End Result: Nothing. Our money is gone and by this time the traders would have converted the money into Gold and stashed it in Cayman islands. I would not be surprised if many of them resigned and left country.

Why?

Both parties have taken heavy donations from AIG.

Now, as you know, once you buy a politician, he stays bought. That's the rule.

Unless you citizens collect a HUGE, and i mean HUGE pot of money, donate it to Orrin Hatch and others, they will NOT lift a finger to help you guys.

Go ahead, start collecting donations: $10, $20 and keep up until you collect enough to override AIG a LOT.

Then buy your own Congressmen and order them to draft a law to get your money back...

Now that will work: not these stupid protests and shaming...