For me, the bailout is a matter or trust.  See article below.  Why should I believe anything a politician says, when obviously they will sneak things into a bill and hope to get it through under cover of darkness?  Part of what caused this was corruption–sweetheart mortgages, excessive money paid to campaigns of the ‘supposed regulators’, and excessive bonuses paid to executives that were cooking the books–most of whom had strong ties to the Democratic party.  Every Senator and Representative who was part of this scam should be voted out of office.  Until then, why should I trust them with more of my money?