I\’ve been thinking more and more about the current economic conditions … I hear more stories of old friends getting laid off — especially those who worked for newspapers — and it occurred to me that the frequency is resembling the Vegas foreclosure scene a year ago. And with that in mind, yikes, like they\’ve been telling us, things are gonna get worse. My newly un self-employed friends are all enjoying the days off now, but we all know the status of most Americans\’ savings … it ain\’t gonna last long, and when these folks suddenly have no more money to spend … ouch.
Anyhow, it\’s all about more than poker, and yet at the same time, this has me feeling so good about various poker bills\’ prospects, specifically in 2009. I mean really, how will any non-zeaot be able to say no to the money? And to that extent, as much of a semi-crazy coot as he is … you gotta love having Barney Frank (D-MA) on our side. From a Huffington Post on bailed-out bankers (the folks currently charged with enforcing the UIGEA, btw) being called to the Congressional woodshed (emph. added):
For Frank and other backers of the bailout, known as TARP, or the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the problem is that its purpose is to prevent a total collapse of the global financial system. Because of the way politics works, it\’s difficult to get credit for preventing harm rather than doing good.
\”It\’s like wearing dark pants and pissing down your leg,\” Frank said before the bailout vote in October. \”It gives you a warm feeling, but no one knows you did it.\”
Are we sure this Massachusetts flaming liberal isn\’t a good-ole-boy from Texas?
