milkchaser

TARP Has Lost 40% Since Inception

The key here is that the loss is unrealized and may, in fact, turn around. Were taxpayers forced to pay their share as computed above, yes this would counteract the stimulus "tax cut".

But if the Obama "tax cut" tells us anything it is that the average taxpayer is not going to be asked to pay his/her fair share. They have not for a long time. Bush's tax rate cuts shifted more of the Federal tax burden to high earners. Obama promises more of the same (with the exception of his carbon cap/tax which is a "fair", across-the-board tax on all).

As for alleged misspending of TARP, the three examples shown are loans to foreign entities. Is this wrong? Should these banks stop lending to foreigners? I say let them lend where the prospect of profit is highest, which may very well be overseas.