Tyrannical Government Takeover: Not Accepting TARP Repayments?!

From the Wall Street Journal (h/t AoS):

Some $340 million in TARP cash flowed back this week from four small banks in Louisiana, New York, Indiana and California. This isn't much when we routinely talk in trillions, but clearly that money has not been wasted or otherwise sunk down Wall Street's black hole. So why no cheering as the cash comes back?

My answer: The government wants to control the banks, just as it now controls GM and Chrysler, and will surely control the health industry in the not-too-distant future. Keeping them TARP-stuffed is the key to control. And for this intensely political president, mere influence is not enough. The White House wants to tell 'em what to do. Control. Direct. Command.

It is not for nothing that rage has been turned on those wicked financiers. The banks are at the core of the administration's thrust: By managing the money, government can steer the whole economy even more firmly down the left fork in the road.

If the banks are forced to keep TARP cash -- which was often forced on them in the first place -- the Obama team can work its will on the financial system to unprecedented degree. That's what's happening right now.

Think about it: If Rick Wagoner can be fired and compact cars can be mandated, why can't a bank with a vault full of TARP money be told where to lend? And since politics drives this administration, why can't special loans and terms be offered to favored constituents, favored industries, or even favored regions? Our prosperity has never been based on the political allocation of credit -- until now.

According to AoS, there appears to be some question as to whether or not all banks trying to return unwanted TARP money are being allowed to.  Apparently, there are no rules governing the repayment of TARP funds, so it's a willy-nilly case-by-case political decision for who is approved to do so and who is not.

This is what conservatives have been saying for quite some time: Obama seeks to control as much of the country as possible, and he's using taxpayer money to extort that control from private companies while spending future generations' tax dollars to do it.

For related information that paints a gaudy, corruptocrat picture of Washington, big-time liberals financiers, and bailed-out banks as being completely in bed with one another, go here.  It's a sickening thing to even contemplate, let alone see it play out in real life with real money that is desperately needed by real Americans.

I'd like to take this opportunity to plug the upcoming Tax Day Tea Party again.  The American Revolution was the culmination of a number of things, but taxation without representation was one of the biggies, and the Boston Tea Party was a key early event leading up to the war.  To protest what Washington -- in particular, Obama and the Democrats -- is doing by spending trillions of tax dollars and taking over the government despite big opposition from the American people, tens of thousands (maybe more) of Americans are planning to attend peaceful protest rallies all around the country to express their outrage on April 15th.  Just to give you an idea of how many people are sick and tired of the spending, these are the confirmed parties in the planning stages:

The home page for one of the Kansas City parties (of which there are two) is here. The state-wide Missouri party page is here. The state-wide Kansas party page is here. Other states' pages can be located here.

As you can see, this is a massive movement that is sweeping the nation.  The anger of the American people at the flagrant irresponsibility of Obama and the Democrats is rising, especially as they continue to ram through spending bill after spending bill with zero transparency, accountability, debate, or bipartisan support.

Though liberals in the media will undoubtedly try to put a negative spin on this national Tax Day Tea Party (or simply minimize it as if it is no big deal), this is a simple but powerful way for you to take part in taking back your country.  Demand accountability, demand transparency, demand the tax cheating Treasury Secretary step down, and demand a stop to the generational theft that is currently being perpetrated by Obama.  Find a party near you and show up.

There's my two cents.