Non-partisan data:

On the positive side of the TARP Money issue. A good amount has been paid back from a number of banks, as holding the money came with burdensome regulation and healthy banks got rid of that liability.

The American tax payer earned a rate of 5% on that portion of that investment. The cost of TARP money goes up significantly after a specific period of time, so you will see banks who have improved somewhat paying off that obligation in the near future.

Eight banks were closed today, none in Washington, but there will be some more in Washington go down in the next 3 months or so. That is a given. http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Some boutique banks, and some hefty regionals will be gone. Got a weak capital ratio? That dot on your chest is a laser sight.

While a bank's Texas ratio is a solid indicator of risk of failure, a better index would be to include their 30-90 past due notes, as that is their pipeline of crap about to blow up. Check that out before investing in any IPO's or special placements of stock.

The use of those funds was a good investment in part of the portfolio, but in others, not so much. Think of it as a mutual fund.

All I know is that I won't be buying a GM vehicle any time soon. Fix Or Repair Daily for me and my trucks. Mulally saw the storm, prepared for it, and they are clicking along.

Go back to bickering.