Congressional Leaders Balk At Writing Blank Check
Ask If They Can Put Bailout On New Capital One Credit Card
When it comes to paying cash for expensive impulse purchases, House and Senate leaders are just like the rest of us, as long as “the rest of us” doesn’t include Suze Orman.
So, it should come as no surprise that Congressional leaders are balking at writing a check to pay for the economic bailout requested by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
Instead, elected officials have applied for a new Capital One card featuring a picture of Karl Marx, asking that the card’s limit be set at $1 trillion.
Speaking from behind a plexiglas window at the Treasury’s new Gas-N-Go convenience store at the corner of Main and Wall Streets, Paulson insisted he’d rather have cash since “the 2-3% the credit card companies charge would cut an extra $30 billion off Treasury’s bottom line.”
Paulson added, “I was really looking forward to using that money to buy a vacation home once prices come crashing down and I can get decent federally-guaranteed , low-rate mortgage.”
Senate and House leaders have promised to be responsible with their new credit card, vowing to “cook at home more and not eat out as much.”
In an effort to demonstrate their new resolve government officials have said they will earmark the first $240,000 of the bailout money to buy copies of QuickBooks Pro to help members track the Federal budget and create pie charts for appearances on Larry King.
Officials point out the government will actually save money on the purchase by not including the TurboTax add-on as suggested by House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel.
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“What’s in your wallet?”
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