“Here’s the dilemma: there is in the country a great deal of anger about the financial institutions, including those represented here,”

-Barney Frank, D. Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee

“It is abundantly clear that we are here amidst broad public anger at our industry. Many people believe—and, in many cases, justifiably so—that Wall Street lost sight of its larger public obligations.”

-Lloyd C. Blankfein, chief of Goldman Sachs, douche

No shit, Sherlocks. This whole economic stimulus thing is getting me down. How about you? Does it somehow feel as if this money is going to the wrong places? Benefiting the wrong people?

Today in Washington a group of high powered bankers were grilled by Barney Frank (see also Good Morning News), and the rest of the House Financial Services Committee, on just what exactly they did with that $125 BILLION that was meant to free up credit for Americans.

Their answer? "No no, we tooootally freed up that credit! Seriously, Frankie! Problem solved! Whadd'ya mean 'bonuses?' I don't even know what that word means. In fact, if you stripped me of my paycheck and my golden toilet AND made me work buck naked I would so still be working at (insert financial institution here). For reals."

I call bullshit. But what else can we do? Will the new economic stimulus package do any better? Wall Street doesn't seem to think so, but it's likely they're just freaked out that no-one from the Obama camp hasn't promised them that a failing banking system wont be nationalized (even if temporarily).

I was watching the Daily Show last week and I was inspired by something good 'ol John Stewart said during an interview with former National Economic Council director, Lawrence Lindsey. Check it:

Trickle Up Economics = Revolution Insurance

I like this. I like this a lot. Hey, Washington! Who's got ten fingers to write a blog post and would love to stimulate the economy? This guy! That's right. I promise that if the government somehow put money back into my pocket (by cutting FICA, or what-have-you) I'd spend the shit out of that money, and I'd spend it locally.

But what about Social Security, you ask? Well, I read that Social Security report every time it comes to my door, and I can tell you that I am basically fucked when it comes to collecting government benefits when I retire. I'll get jack with a bonus of squat. So it's not like paying into Social Security at the rate I am currently required to is reaping any future benefits anyway. So maybe alongside my spending spree, I'll squirrel a bit away for retirement.

I assume there are many people who have the same idea I do. Their money would go to restaurants, and small business owners, and corporations, who might then be able to expand and hire new employees or pay off outstanding debts. Hell, I'd even start paying off my student loans! I'm sure my creditor could sure use that money right now!

And I'll tell you what. If I were given the opportunity to help stimulate the economy, I sure as hell wouldn't be useing these ten fingers to hurl Molotov cocktails. That's not necessarily a threat. I'm just thinking out loud here.

I'm hoping that the next several hundred Billion makes some kind of dent in this recession. Lord knows we need it to. But it's getting harder and harder to stay positive. And isn't that what we need right now? A little positivity?

How about you, Blogtownies? Got any amazing stimulus ideas?