TARP

Responding to Roy Blunt's recent grandstanding about wall street firms receiving early H1N1 vaccine shipments, the Post-Dispatch today welcomes Blunt's newfound interest in the special treatment received by the folks on Wall Street.

Whatever the reason, we welcome Mr. Blunt to the populist outrage front. Mr. Blunt was in Congress throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s when, during both Republican and Democratic administrations, the banks got everything they asked for, subsequently wrecking the economy. Mr. Blunt has been a reliable pro-banking industry vote, from repealing the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999 to refusing to allow bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages in 2009.

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The Beacon's Jo Mannies has a new story about a Chuck Purgason campaign stop in St. Louis County last night, at which Purgason argued that his true fiscal conservative credentials make him the better candidate to emerge from the GOP primary. Mannies:

Sporting his trademark bolo tie, silk vest and a flip chart, Purgason mesmerized about 50 fellow conservatives who showed up at the Midwest Music Conservatory in Clarkson Valley. It was among the first campaign forays to this side of the state by the GOP state senator from Caulfield, Mo. (He noted later that he was in town two weeks ago for some radio appearances.)

His message was dire. Purgason declared that -- nationally -- the Republican Party is "the last hope'' to turn around the nation's troubled economy and halt the federal government's rising debt.

But he also asserted that some Republicans in Congress have contributed to the country's current money problems -- notably his unnamed primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

 "My opponent was in (House) leadership when this occurred,'' Purgason said.

Bond is worried that TARP banks are "chaffing under the stigma" of having taken TARP money.  I don't remember the banks "chaffing" when they took the taxpayer money, do you?

(via The Hill)

American Rights at Work is running a new ad highlighting the corporations that have received bailout money but refuse to support the Employee Free Choice Act.

From Hotline On Call:

"The public and lawmakers alike need to know that the special interests opposing the Employee Free Choice Act are the same ones who caused this economic meltdown," said American Rights at Work executive director Mary Beth Maxwell. "This new ad sends a resolute message that now is the time to help workers to bargain for a better life. The Employee Free Choice Act is urgently needed to create fairness in this economy."

There should be no limit on executive compensation at companies receiving TARP money.

Details here.