The Brian Sullivan Blog
  • November 12, 2008 11:37 AM EST by Brian Sullivan

    The TARP is Now the CARP

    "...and just like that - POOF! - he was gone"
    - Kevin Spacey in "The Usual Suspects" talking about Kaiser Soze

    The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) as we know it is dead.   I would only half-jokingly suggest to the government marketing folks that the TARP should now be called the Consumer Asset Relief Program, or CARP.

    Today Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson announced that the $700 billion dollar rescue plan will be targeted less to mortgage-related assets and more to consumer-related products.   Paulson said that while many banks still need support, he added:

    "...the important markets for securitizing credit outside of the banking system also need support.  Approximately 40 percent of U.S. consumer credit is provided through securitization of credit card receivables, auto loans and student loans and similar products. This market, which is vital for lending and growth, has for all practical purposes ground to a halt.  Addressing these two priorities will have powerful impacts on the overall financial system, the strength of our financial institutions and the availability of consumer credit.  Third, we continue to explore ways to reduce the risk of foreclosure."

    And just like that - POOF! - the TARP evolves.  What was once sold as a rescue plan for troubled assets based primarily on mortgages and homes has become a much more broad attempt to ease consumer fears and increase consumer spending.

    One of the underlying assumptions in marketing this plan was that the taxpayer would be getting something for her money.   If the government buys a distressed mortgage-related asset, the taxpayer may benefit as the value of that home moves back higher over time.   Thanks to a sharp-eyed Fox Business viewer correctly notes that under this revised plan, taxpayer money may now be used to buy depreciating assets, such as car and credit card loans.  While a car loan may have some inherent value in the interest payments (assuming the loan is paid back) the underlying value of the security - the car - only falls in value.   One of the arguments used by the government.

    Rather oddly, Paulson also made the following comment:

    "In the meantime, the GSEs now operate on stable footing.  They have strong government support backing both future capital and liquidity needs.  We have stabilized the GSEs and limited systemic risk, and our authorities provide us with additional flexibility to use as necessary to accomplish our objectives. "

    The GSE's are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Both are posting record losses, quarter after quarter.   It is contradictory to suggest that these entities are on "stable footing" and in the next breath say they have "strong government support."  If they were indeed "stable" they would not need government support.

    Scrabble junkies have no doubt noted you can change the letters of CARP around to some amusement.

American Express is to become a bank - Credit Talk Forum

[...] They are becoming banks so they can get of the piece of our tax dollar pie...rather than backing mortgages, it looks like will be shoring up unsecured debts and depreciating assets. The TARP is Now the CARP at The Brian Sullivan Blog [...]

November 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm

A Capitalist

I wonder if at some point someone will sue on the grounds that this bailout nonsense is actually unconstitutional. The gov't does not have any enumerated powers in the constitution that allows it to do this. But I guess that hasn't stopped it before. And even if sued, I'm sure that our current Supreme Court would find the federal power implied in there somehow. Kinda like when they butchered the 5th Amendment in the Kelo decision. The 5th amendment only allows the gov't taking private property for public use if there is just compensation. In the Kelo decision, the local gov't took the property of private middle class citizens (homes) and then sold it to a developer who promised to build a commercial office park which would bring in higher property tax dollars. It wasn't to build a badly needed road or any other critical public infrastructure, nor were the properties in bad shape. These were perfectly fine, middle class homes. Well the homes have been bulldozed. However, no commercial property has been built. George Washington, were he alive today, would be reaching for the his gun.

November 12, 2008 at 6:22 pm

B Scott

I,ve known for a long time that the higher ups in the media "know" whats really taking place, I,ve also known for a long time that your average media type is not a free thinker and is as blind as the masses(just read the drivel they print and that conclusion is obvious) This economic mess has been "planned" for a long time,the current rhetoric and so called attempts to "fix" the mess are simply a charade. The elite will find it necessary to introduce a new world cashless financial system, a system by the way, where the middle class no longer exist,nor their 401k,s, nor their guns or their freedoms.Just wait until they announce it, you,ll be amazed that every i will be dotted and t crossed,a system that would have taken "years" to devise and organize will supposedly be dreamed up in one of their famous weekend meetings.

November 12, 2008 at 11:59 pm

Hal Slusher

I have not had this much enjoyment reading comments in years. I think there are many really good thinkers on here. Carp = crap the best is TURD. God love you all. And yes it is crazy.

November 13, 2008 at 11:30 am

Mike Pracht

I do not believe Pauslon's "argument", that the facts changed, thus we gotta have a different plan. I am more inclined to think that some staffers did not do THOROUGH research. It's not the first time, ie "Iraq has WMD"...

November 13, 2008 at 12:02 pm

TomMc

The TARP was CRAP when it was approved. It seems the only provisions in the orginal bill that remain are the bribes (earmarks) given to members of cogress.

November 13, 2008 at 1:16 pm

pink panther

These people are raping us! We are bailing the billionaires out, and they are not held accountable at all for their stupid mistakes and bad decisions (greed). Folks, we have been lied to. And instead of sitting back and doing nothing at all, we need to stand up and do something about this. We are being robbed blind! In addition to this, I bet Congress will not blink an eye when they vote for their raise. After all, the members of Congress do not pay taxes (the IRS), they do not pay into Social Security, their retirement and medical benefits are free, and paid for by the blood and sweat of the tax payers! Yes, they have lost their minds alright. They are elected public officials and should have the same pay and benefits comparable to the US Military. If you stop and think about all of this crap going on, one may wonder if this is a scheme to speed up "the one world order" plan that has been discussed and planned out behind the scenes for many years! Part of "the one world order" is the redistribution of wealth!

November 13, 2008 at 7:54 pm

about this blog

  • Brian Sullivan joined FOX Business Network (FBN) in April 2008 as an anchor. He co-anchors the 10am-12pm ET hours of the FOX Business block. Prior to joining FBN, Sullivan served as an anchor for Bloomberg Television where he hosted the programs Morning Call and In Focus.

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