Like most Americans, I think, I expected the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to pass, since this did seem to be the most likely option given support from Sen. Obama, grandstanding by Sen. McCain, and fearmongering by the president, which would seem to have guaranteed it bipartisan approval.

Oh well.

I wonder if you can tell how much thought/time has gone into a bill by whether or not the name spells something cute. The obvious example is the USA PATRIOT Act, which is properly an acronym and should always be capitalised, the moreso as it has nothing to do with actual, ah, patriotism, and certainly not with patriotism as regards the "USA" (which in "USA PATRIOT" stands for "Uniting and Strengthening America").

"Oh dear god won't someone please think of the children" style acts designed to assault civil liberties under the guise of keeping the virgin eyes of babes secure are also good for this. Hence the Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children" (PROTECT Our Children Act. "lol") or the Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act ("SAFER-NET"). The SAFETY Act. The KIDS Act. And so on.

EESA does not stand for anything unless it is Jar-Jar Binks onomatopoeia (reference to the heady times of the last economic bubble thrown in for free). I don't understand why someone couldn't have put at least a little thought into it. I mean come on, it can't be that hard. Anyway my guess is the lack of a snappy name is what prevented its adoption, especially since by district maps it seems to have been challenged in more educated places, where people appreciate wit. I've only got twenty minutes on the train, but:


which I intend to submit to my senator for introduction ASAP.

And when it passes--as I'm certain it will--I shall be whistling a merry Paxton tune (sung most famously by Arlo, of course)--perhaps updated for the 21st century.



/a

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Comrade Alex 1.10.2008 - 4h10

What the hell, here's a whole new song (the chorus is already above): With the mortgage crisis leaving us aghast And our lending institutions failing fast Folks who could get loans for houses Now are homeless by the thousands Have the days of wine and roses finally passed? While the situation certainly is dire I can see a way to get out of the mire Banks can recoup all the spending Done in predatory lending If their reckless loans can only find a buyer... [chorus] When the homeowners are running to their bank We can tell them all exactly who to thank. When your parachute is golden There's no need to be beholden To the unwashed masses in the file and rank. All the Congress-men and -women on the Hill Who make market economics such a thrill Know you don't need to be liable If your company's not viable They can fix it for you with a simple bill. [chorus] Since the heady days of doctor Adam Smith We've been living in a money-driven myth Where the struggle may be stressful But we all can be successful And the cash will fall into our hands forthwith. We've believed that for a century or two. But hard work has given way to something new: If you're a major institution Don't fear any retribution-- Down in Congress there's a check made out to you. -CA

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