Is this Capitalism, or Socialism?

My sense on all this is that Bush and Paulson, etc., knew about the situation for at least a half year. How could they not know? Bush was probably hoping against hope he could make it to January before the gauntlet dropped - the new president would be blamed for the depression based on the way he reacted to the crisis. Unfortunately (for Bush anyway), the crisis hit sooner rather than later. Here's the other thing that has me angry: the Bush administration's history of completely misinterpreting AND mishandling of crisis. The war in Iraq, we'll be treated as liberators, the oil in Iraq will pay for the war, the war will only cost $50 billion. Then Katrina. We're being told $700 billion will take care of the illiquid assets. That's on top of another $500 billion or so we've already chunked at AIG, the tax stimulus checks, and other bailouts. Here's the trillion dollar question: do you really believe $700 billion will take care of the problem? I don't. It's nothing more than a band-aid. It's only the beginning. We're still going to go through a strong recession if not a depression. The only difference is that we're going to sink into it rather than splash into it. What do you think?

Socialism would bail out people, society. Capitalism bails out capitalists, corporations. It seems that people don't matter in Capitalism but corporations rate higher than people.

This is the Republican game: privatize the gains, socialize the losses. See, Republicans really do like socialism...but only when they're running out on the bill. Otherwise they're more than happy to let the CEO get absurdly rich before his unregulated company goes down the toilet. Just look at Carly Fiorina--she brought HP's shares from $60 to $20, and she's allowed to walk away with millions of dollars in a severance package.

I feel that a vote for Obama in this election, a vote for the democratic party, will be a vote for socialism in our country. I am not saying to vote for McCain. I am just saying that the democrats are wanting to set up government organizations to manage big industries. This is the very definition of socialism. This is not a matter of voting for white or black, democrat or republican...this is ultimately a matter of voting for capitalism or socialism. I don't think any of us need any proof of what can happen when government gets involved in our lives. One only needs to look as far as the Hurricane Katrina aftermath to find out how much the government can screw things up. ENTIRE LOADS of relief supplies were LOST. Half of the money meant to go to relief for the victims of the storm was unaccounted for in the end...no doubt making its way into other programs, or the pockets of the politicians themselves. Do we really want these people managing our big businesses? Do people realize how much money it will cost taxpayers to set up these organizations? This is a major issue that we really need to consider before we vote in the upcoming election. Obama is going to be pushing, backed by the democratic party, to implement these organizations. Capitalism is one of the things that has made this country great. These organizations will negate everything our nation has been based upon. The costs of setting up these organizations will be passed on to the taxpayer. This will definitely be the start of socialism in our country. This will be the beginning of the end of America as we know it. If the government is allowed to take over one area of the economy, such as the mortgage business, what is going to stop them from taking over other areas, such as the flailing airline industry? Before long, we could be living in a country much like the Soviet Union...a place where the government controls almost every aspect of public life... A democratic vote in this election will be a vote for socialism. If the democrats have their way, government will start to control one area of our lives, then slowly take over other areas as well...all in the name of "saving industry". Think long and hard before you vote on election day...

This isn't socialism at its worst. What's going on now is actually an example of how capitalism doesn't work. The fact that the government is having to bail out wall street and mortgage companies is a perfect example of capitalism.

it is interesting your goverment like socialism, which intervene too much. but we are socialism, but the goverment like capitalism, they care for nothing. nothing for the education, nothing for the house so high price , nothing about society benefit , which care about how to collect tax.

This is most certainly socialism, these people are being rewarded for their failure, and I do not like that at all. Why should we taxpayers have to pay for a companies failure? We should not have to.

Well I guess its capitalism that is working on. I really think that this company has made a big impact on your economy and I really feel that many will suffer not only those that have their investments in that company but also will trigger a worldwide problem if not given a chance to cope with their monetary problems. If your government will not interfere a much worse scenario may happen as everything is connected in economy from private people's money to taxpayers money. If there is no balance between the two both will collapse in time.

The economy had better chances without this whole bail out plan. Like I've said, the economy can weather losing banks, companies...but it can't lose the people or their money, which ultimately, giving the people a debt they may not pay off for generations and risking destroying the nation's currency (which is what this is doing)... It's the ultimate high stakes game. I've heard it described as russian roulette. I believe they are using this crisis as an excuse for one last laugh, though. And it's criminal. Some of them might honestly believe that this huge risk they're trading for just a little more time to try to reverse the worst of it, is necessary...but largely...this is the most stupid thing EVER. Bar none, of all the stupid things ever done in this country, this absolutely takes the cake. And according to recent polls, most of the people in this country agree. This increases the chances the economy will collapse. In fact, actually, the odds are so bad that it's almost absolutely certain if they go through with this, which they will barring a miracle.