Black September

By Zamboni

No, we're not referring to the group that murdered the Israeli Olympic team in 1972. But we still feel terrorized.

The $700 billion figure that Treasury Secretary Paulson is tossing around to rescue the U.S. financial system is apparently... just a guess. Nobody really knows how much the debacle ultimately will cost.

The thought that there may be billions more lurking under the rocks that the government picks up makes us cats want to dash under the bed and stay there all day. Heck, all week.

And while we're on the subject, there are a couple other things that are really, really, really bothering us.

First, why do we get the awful feeling that the Bush Administration is making a power grab just like the one they made after September 11, 2001? Under the excuse of speed, Paulson is asking for near-dictatorial powers and no oversight. We cats GROWL at that idea. Even Republicans like John "Eyeliner Man" Boehner are objecting.

Second, why do we feel like hurling a hairball every time we hear John McCain violently expectorating on the campaign trail?

We cats know that this crisis is directly related to Senator McCain's gross incompetence as Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, during which he blindly worshiped at the altar of deregulation. It is further complicated by McCain's obeisance to Phil Gramm, who, of course, bears more responsibility than any other Senator, past and present, for this unregulated mess.

Last but not least, Senator McCain's faux outrage at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae is a repugnant, dishonorable smokescreen thrown up by a repugnant, dishonorable campaign. As The New York Times reports today, McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, was paid $30,000 a month to lobby against stricter regulations for the two companies.

Boy, there are a lot of homeowners in trouble who could use money like that.

We're starting to feel ill. But here's the good news: We get to fire all these bastards on Nov. 4. Let's do it.