I Need White House Press Credentials
September 15th, 2008
I was ready to tear the control panel off the treadmill I was on as I watched Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson try to explain to The White House Press Corps how the current administration was not responsible for the financial problems that have led to the collapse of yet 2 more of Americas financial institutions over the weekend.
With the collapse of 158 year old Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch being gobbled up by Bank of America, Paulson layed the blame on the “adjustment” of the housing market and making up for years of excess.
One reporter asked The Secretary what his level of responsibility was in the collapses, he responded that he was just playing the hand he was dealt. Another reporter followed up with the question, if you have only been in office for two years and was only playing the cards he was dealt, how much of the responsibility does the current administration, which has been in office for 6 years longer, have for the turmoil in our financial markets.
Paulson responded that King George II has been a great boss and is very concerned about what is going on.
Concerned?
CONCERNED!!!!
To hell with concerned, I want someone to take fucking responsibility.
Now, if I had been in that room, this is how the press conference would have gone.
AJ: Secretary Paulson, you said you were just playing the hand you were dealt when you took over the treasury two years ago, is that correct?
Paulson: Exactly
AJ: …and with your position as head of the Treasury Department, you are resposible for the health and welfare of the nations economy, is that correct sir?
Paulson: Well yes, but it is congress that passes the laws.
AJ: But as King George has proved, nothing he does not want to become law doesn’t, so are you sir, saying that it is the President who is in fact responsible for our current financial crisis.
Paulson: Well, uhh, no, he has been a great boss…
AJ: OK, so it is not the President and I guess it can’t be Congress, so that kind of leaves you holding the bag now, doesn’t it.
Paulson: Uhh, well, you see, the downward cycle….the adjustment… the uhhh
AJ: Thank you for clearing this up for us Mr Secretary, you can go now and return to your office while the American taxpayers clean up your mess.
Oh, and for the record, according to Wikipedia, Secretary Paulson is not exactly going to share in Americas burden caused by his mismanagement of the countries checkbook.
Paulson has personally built close relations with China during his career. In it was reported by The Daily Telegraph that: “Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson has intimate relations with the Chinese elite, dating from his days at Goldman Sachs when he visited the country over 70 times.”
That and the fact his net worth is estimated at around $700 million dollars should keep his head above water during this tough economic times.
PUTZ