While I am equally outraged at this travesty of democracy, I am not surprised. The issue now — that I am hearing from many friends who are outraged and confused — is what do we do about this.

Larisa Alexandrovna, who grew up in the Soviet Union and is now an American citizen, just published Welcome to the final stages of the coup... on her Huffington Post blog. She's seen this sh*t up close. Here's what she has to say.

As I see it now, we have but two options and I have long alluded to hoping against hope that one of these options would not be the only one left to a peaceful people. The first and frankly most preferable option is for Congress to immediately begin impeachment proceedings against the members of this latest Business Plot....

The other option, the one I have long prayed we would never need to even consider, is a total revolution. But, If Congress won't act in its own self-defense, in the defense of democracy, in defense of us - the people who have elected them to protect us from this very danger - then what is left for us to do? I don't want to see it come down to this, but I fear that it will.

Put your party politics aside right now. We are in a crisis so dangerous that should these people succeed in their coup, your party affiliation will no longer matter, your American flag will be a nice collectible item of something that once was, and your version of God will be worshiped in secrecy because your freedoms will be owned by the few.

Needless to say, the right wingers are going ballistic over this. But that's what it's coming down to — unless we as a people rise up and just say no.

Bush Administration Seeks "Dictatorial Power"

Contact Your Senator Today!

It's time to contact your senator. Here is contact information for Senators of the 110th Congress.

Phone or Email your Senators today. Tell them in your own words

* Urge your senator to Filibuster any bailout legislation.
* Emphatically state you do not want a bailout of any kind for anyone.
* No Dictatorial power for Paulson or Bernanke
* Taxpayers should not have to bail out banks making bad loans
* Tell them that "The Fed" and Paulson are systemic risk".

Email AND Phone Senators Shelby, Bunning, Kyle, Ensign, Hagel

Whether Senator Shelby is your Senator or not, flood him with calls and emails asking for a filibuster and to stop the insanity. Senators Shelby, Bunning, Ensign, and Kyle might be sympathetic to the cause, based on past statements. I am taking a stab at Hagel.

Please email and phone the following. Specifically ask for a filibuster and tell them to vote no to any bailout. Tell them that anyone who votes for this bailout will never get your vote again.

Shelby, Richard C.- (R - AL)
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
E-mail: senator@shelby.senate.gov

Bunning, Jim- (R - KY)
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: http://bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ)
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Ensign, John- (R - NV)
Washington D.C. Office
119 Russell Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6244
Fax: (202) 228-2193
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm

Hagel, Chuck (R - NE)
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: hagel.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Please email and phone both of your senators as well.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock

Unfortunately, it's coming down to hoping that fiscally conservative Republicans will block this mess if Money Party Dems fold their hand in the face of a falling market when they balk and Wall Street calls their bluff.

I agree if "8" survives, all bets are off. I do believe the constant use of bailout and trillion are having an impact. Here in Idaho, the most if not second reddist state, this issue has traction. Our Congressional delegation will be put on notice, and except for "Wide Stance" Larry Craig, election results will be affected by individual support and opposition to this bailout.

"If this bill is passed as worded and is not amended it will be the effective end of our democratic-republic."

I don't agree. I think our institutions are more resilient than that.

What I worry about is creating a rift - a break in the social compact that will allow radicalized view points to grow and thrive in the United States.

Violent extremism in recent years has declined. 60s "blow-'em up" radicalism has been a barely registering blip in recent years. Militia-based nuttiness faded after the Oklahoma bombing. Islamic extremism isn't a home-grown U.S. phenomena, with the worrisome exception of the prison system.

But something like this bailout, when coupled with the loss of our standard of living that seems almost inevitable, is going to take some people to a place, a world view, where the violent overthrow of the U.S. government is going to be part of their philosophy. And they are going to come together in groups, with charismatic leaders, and a science of terrorism that 60's militants never even dreamed of.

I remember discussions about welfare programs during the 60s as being radical socialism - blah, blah, blah. While I think the critique of the creation of a culture of dependency was valid, at that time our broader social welfare programs were, in another sense, profoundly conservative. They were a force that kept the social compact intact. It was part of what kept the racial and Vietnam inspired violence in this country from spreading farther than it did.

For the same profoundly conservative reasons, we need to make sure that this "bailout" - if it is indeed necessary - serves to help real people, not just Wall Street fat cats. We need to make sure that the legislation helps keep people in their homes.

The joke that a democrat is a republican who has gone through a foreclosure is an insight that is going to get steriod-ized as folks continue to lose their houses while billions are spent saving the banks.

There is a thin line between disgust with government and a complete break from concepts of citizenship, community, and hope. That's what I worry about.

"But something like this bailout, when coupled with the loss of our standard of living that seems almost inevitable, is going to take some people to a place, a world view, where the violent overthrow of the U.S. government is going to be part of their philosophy."

That's why surveillance networks and methods are being beefed up. Domestic terrorism.

on the bailout can found here. I added the bold emphasis:

As of now, the Bush Administration has only offered a concept with a staggering price tag, not a plan. Even if the U.S. Treasury recovers some or most of its investment over time, this initial outlay of up to $700 billion is sobering. And in return for their support, the American people must be assured that the deal reflects the basic principles of transparency, fairness, and reform.

First, there must be no blank check when American taxpayers are on the hook for this much money.

Second, taxpayers shouldn’t be spending a dime to reward CEOs on Wall Street.

Third, taxpayers should be protected and should be able to recoup this investment.

Fourth, this plan has to help homeowners stay in their homes.

Fifth, this is a global crisis, and the United States must insist that other nations join us in helping secure the financial markets.

Sixth, we need to start putting in place the rules of the road I’ve been calling for for years to prevent this from ever happening again.

And finally, this plan can’t just be a plan for Wall Street, it has to be a plan for Main Street. We have to come together, as Democrats and Republicans, to pass a stimulus plan that will put money in the pockets of working families, save jobs, and prevent painful budget cuts and tax hikes in our states

I'm guessing that means he's against it?

as is. This is just from a gut feeling about how power is evolving in this country in front of our very eyes.

I hope I'm wrong.

Sean-Paul,

I am flabbergasted by Section 8. But I don't need to draw your line in the sand.

I will vote for Obama because I agree with him on enough things. He doesn't pass muster in a number of areas, but the only other guy who can possibly win is a (sleep)walking nightmare, with a veep even worse.

To follow Hirschman's old model of political choice, we can choose
1. Exit,
2. Voice, or
3. Loyalty

Exit, i.e., not voting, is a political choice. Giving voice to Obama's new course is my political choice. Near as I can tell, maverick slogans to the contrary, choosing McCain is really a loyalty play, best summed up as how to run the country the same as Bush, which is into the ground as fast as possible. Choosing McKinney or Barr or anyone else no more qualified than Palin is a choice that ends any future Voice.

In terms of continued Voice, I figure once Obama is in the White House we have to keep on leaning on him to stay constitutional, stay thoughtful, avoid wars, promote diplomacy, strengthen regulations, open up marriage. Oh, and making Detroit go to 40 mpg by 2020, and opening relations with Cuba would be nice, too.

If McLoyalty gets the nod, my Voice is lost. With Obama in the White House I might get heard.

Tom Robinson