This is a message that I posted on CNN.com (http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/09/20/the-bailout/)

Please feel free to comment, or pass this along if you agree.

I am a small business owner, and about 2 months ago, my business was in danger of failing.  It was in danger of failing due to a slow economy and that's it – it was not due to a bad product, dissatisfied customers, bad decisions based on greed, or bad marketing.  However, those are the very reasons as to why these Wall Street giants are failing, and now, because of their bad decisions, I, along with the other taxpayers in this country, have to bail them out?  Where was my bailout a couple of months ago? I certainly could have used a "cash infusion" when I was struggling, and I am sure many small business could have used one as well, or may need one now.  This bailout is the worst thing that we could do. It is completely anti-capitalistic, and it cannot be allowed to happen.  When companies fail due to poor decision making, greed, bad products, etc., then they fail, and new institutions rise up to take there place.  They don't get $700,000,000,000 to continue doing what they are doing.  I personally would rather see that money go to heath care, the social-security crisis, national security, or education just to name a few.  If this bailout gets passed, it is up to us, the voters, to see to it that those who approved it are no longer employed by the American people when election time rolls around.  We must say "no" to big government getting bigger, and stop the bailouts of greedy institutions that do nothing but stand on the backs of the public while they count their money.  Since the housing boom began, these institutions have done nothing to contribute to the overall well being of this country or to this country's economy – they have effectively done quite the opposite.  Their greed and careless attention to the world around them has lead to a failing economy, bad housing debts, a credit crisis, hyper inflation, and a crumbling global economy and has basically left this country teetering on the edge of a depression.  I say let them fail, and let this lesson, and warning, go forth to all those that would attempt to swindle the public in the name of making a fast buck: If you make bad decisions, and try to capitalize on greed, then you will fail, and there will be no help from the very public that you tried to take advantage of. To the politicians what would allow for this bailout: Vote yes, and your days in office are numbered.  By bailing out these companies, you are encouraging more destructive behavior on Wall Street that will only lead this country further into ruin. By voting "yes", you are telling corrupt CEOs with poor business models, ethics and practices that it is okay to make decisions based entirely on their own self interest and when those decisions backfire, the feds will come to the rescue on the public's dime, just so you can do it all over again.  It is time for government to get out of the business game and let the markets play out as they must, let the corrupt businesses fail, and let newer, innovative, and more socially conscious and responsible businesses take their place.  Maybe instead of bailing out the companies that are responsible for this mess, we bail out the public, and allow them the opportunity to invest in new companies and banks, and simply let the old institutions fade into history.