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I am hearing some say on TV that Americans who opposed the
bailout simply don’t understand complicated economic principles and don’t see
how crucial it is to act.  That seems condescending
to me, since as Obama has said, Americans have been feeling the economic crisis
on a day-to-day painfully real level long before this Wall Street Crisis.  I may not be an economist and know all the
fine points, but because I want to emphasize help to citizens who are losing their
homes more directly and make things fair to the embattled middle class does not
mean I’m clueless.  Although I think this
needs supplementation, I sure do like this Service Employees International
Union plan better than the one that was before Congress.  What do you think, forum contributors?  If we don't want the bailout that failed to pass, what DO we want?? Thank-you Bob F. for pointing us in this
direction. I sure do like the alternative of “massive investment in public
services and national health care, and regulatory reforms preventing
foreclosures and forcing banks to renegotiate the predatory terms of their bad
mortgages.” I feel that we need to start communicating with our congress-people when we get clear what we want as an alternative to the bailout we protested.  Michael Moore is apparently researching this and planning to send an e-mail about it today. I know that he's far better connected than I am and I will look forward to seeing what he comes up with. Here is the link to the Service Employees plan and an excerpt:

http://blogs.seiu.org/blogs/2008/09/26/take-a-deep-breath-our-economic-recovery-plan/

Tens of millions of Americans can be helped if we invest in
programs that will help revive our economy. We’re proposing a $350 billion
long-term investment in America’s families:

1. A
   national health care plan. Estimated cost: $130 billion over two years.
2. A
   plan for energy independence and green job creation. Estimated cost: $20
   billion over two years.
3. Improved
   infrastructure. Estimated cost: $22 billion over two years.
4. Tax
   reforms to correct a system that currently favors CEOs and business while
   contributing to a growing income divide. Estimated cost: $80 billion.
5. Affordable
   education. Estimated cost: $100 billion over two years.

And there are some programs to help our economy that won’t
cost the government a dime:

1. Relief
   for struggling homeowners - halting foreclosures so families can keep
   their homes. Estimated cost: $0.
2. Reforms
   that ensure workers have real freedom to choose a voice at work by passing
   the Employee Free Choice Act. Estimated cost: $0.  
3. Retirement security. Estimated cost: Negligible