These idiots in Washington act as though they are playing with monopoly money, when in fact it’s the taxpayer who will end up footing the bill…unfortunately, it may very well be worth as much as Monopoly money by the time they are finished screwing around…

Source: CNN.com

Congressional leaders played a delicate political game Wednesday as they added “sweeteners” to a $700 billion financial bailout plan to attract enough House members, particularly Republicans, to pass the plan, which failed in the House just two days ago.

The measures — a mix of tax extensions, an increase in federal deposit insurance and other measures — include many items that are appealing to Republicans.

Democratic leadership aides said the House vote on the bailout package could occur midday Friday if the plan passes in the Senate Wednesday night, which is expected.

Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the top Republican in the House, believes the additional measures will make it easier to pass the controversial bill, a Boehner spokesman said.

Boehner and Rep. Roy Blunt, the Republican whip, were calling members Wednesday urging them to support the bill, Republican leadership aides said.

“Republicans are doing everything we can to encourage more Republicans to vote for this bill,” said the spokesman, Kevin Smith.

“We believe we’ll have a better chance to pass this bill than the one that failed yesterday,” Smith added.

The “sweeteners,” however, could drive away conservative Democrats, which would still leave leaders short of the votes needed to pass the bill.

The bill the Senate will vote on Wednesday will include measures that:

* Allow Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to buy up to $700 billion in bad mortgage-related securities and other bad assets
* Allow the Treasury Department to modify mortgage terms to help homeowners avoid foreclosure
* Permit the government to receive equity in companies it helps so taxpayers get a share of any future profits
* Restrict executive pay for companies aided by the program
* Create an independent oversight board to oversee the Treasury Department program

Source: Senate Banking Committee

In particular, the additional tax extensions meant to persuade some House Republicans to switch their votes in favor of the bill could cause some fiscally conservative, or “Blue Dog,” Democrats to drop their support because the tax cuts are not paid for and will drive up the federal deficit.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, said he wasn’t pleased that the tax exemptions were added to the bill and admitted that they may result in fewer House Democrats supporting the proposal.

“There’s no doubt the tax package is very controversial. The Senate, in my opinion, is adding that on because they think that’s the only way they can get it passed,” Hoyer told NBC on Wednesday.

Senate leaders announced Tuesday night that the Senate would vote on a modified bailout package Wednesday night. The vote will occur after sunset, which will mark the end of the Jewish New Year.

All three senators running for president or vice president — Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden — will return to Washington to vote on the bailout package.

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