What will trigger the avalanche?

The snow is piling up on the slippery slope of interference in the free markets by our government and by corporate interference in our Republic. Avalanches are not spontaneously triggered by random events. Avalanches occur because of external stress. The question is which external stress, the TEA parties, the unemployed, the plummeting dollar, or as yet, some unknown entity, will to trigger the impending downfall?

Consider this:

Bloomberg sues the Treasury under the Freedom of Information Act to release records outlining where the bailout money went last year. Congressman Kevin Brady from Texas asks Timothy Geithner if he will step down from his post during a congressional hearing. Timothy Geithner, in need of good PR and knowing newspapers are defunct, invites bloggers to a roundtable discussion.

What is really happening here?

Bloomberg is getting close to the juicy information. Some members of Congress are willing to admit they know Geithner is a scienter and want him gone. Geithner reaches out to bloggers to influence a positive spin.

Warning to Bloggers - don't get caught up in the red carpet treatment!!! You will end up going the way of the old media.

The Avalanche

We can only hope it looks like indictments and jail time. Where are the ethics? I am sure there are some Christians or some sort of God fearing/loving people perpetrating fraud as standard operating procedure whose doctrines include: don't steal, don't lie, don't hurt your fellow man. (This country is supposed to be made up a majority of "believers" but maybe that's a different discussion.) Where are the good people of the world that do right because it's the right thing to do? Have they all succumbed to greed and corruption?

Lack of Outrage

Or is it a lack of action from shareholders, citizens - you? Consider this:

Congress wants to tax your every trade transaction in addition to the capital gains you already pay.

H. R. 1068

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a tax on certain
securities transactions to the extent required to recoup the net cost
of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

If you are not tired of bending over and taking it . . .  do nothing. If you are outraged and don't know where to begin - start here. If you have already taken action - try to inspire others to do so.

Resources:

Open Congress - follow legislation - read the real bills, decide for yourself.

Project Vote Smart - contact your Congress.

WashingtonWatch - bills before Congress and how much it's going to cost you.

USAspending - where the government is spending your money.