This can be answered in three short words.
Bush is managing

pushing more than just bank failures

where'd you go Sheldon?

I don't think that pointing the finger at the White House is an accurate assessment. Do you really think that Bush & co. understands the present situation? Why not put the fickle finger of fate in the direction of those who really deserve it? Just how did we get into this mess? Who was supposed to be on guard duty? Who was in command?
The people that are to blame are getting away scot free.
Let's start with Congress. The have special committees: armed services, ways & means and of course, finance. Hey, that's what I think this is all about. Economy generally refers to something to do with money. The Senate & House committees on finance are in charge of the banks, listen to reports from the Fed and every other agency that has anything to do with economics. Since there are a lot more of them there should have been some intelligent life sitting and asking questions. I have listened to a few of these hearings and the people look like they are alive and generally ask some decent questions. I know they asked Al Jackson, the old HUD secretary about raising the 417,000 limit. I know he advised against it. I don't recall anyone asking about the impact that 120% financing might have on the economy. I don't recall anyone being too concerned that the real estate market was going up in price in leaps and bounds. There was a lot more that should have made the questions and answer periods during these hearings, but was never brought up. It is absolutely amazing that during this period Countrywide and numerous others are merrily advertising on TV, the internet and papers with "no income check" "100% financing" "zero down" and every other insane financing scheme imaginable, while those we trust to regulate, found no problem.
The committees are non partisan, and I blame both committees. I further blame them for not firing everyone in the OFHEO who was in charge of oversight for Fannie and Freddie.
How about putting the blame where it really belongs.

I am also waiting for someone in the investigative reporting end of the media to make the connection and check campaign contributions. IF what I think is here actually IS - there will be a scandal that will make Watergate look like a walk in the park.

You republicans make me puke. Always yappin about the tax and spend dems. Well thats a helluva lot better than tax cut and spend. Thats why the country and banks are going down the tubes because of you stupid republicans. Ya can't spend what ya don't have.

Perhaps, in the long run, the idea that money is more than fiction yet less than reality will become evident. Meanwhile, a few more may notice there is not enough today, nor this week, nor this month ... a nice banker called me a few years ago and gave us a HELOC for more than the price of our (former) home. My wife and I are permanently disabled. Fixed incomes and spiraling expenses are only a problem for us, not the nice banker. Once again, the world is drowning in excess liquidity. No one really needs the hundred grand the gummint promised today, nor tomorrow, nor this week. Get over it. Money does its job, but nobody promised us a rose garden, well, except the White House, but, even honest men must have some mythology ...

What is with the picture with this article?

do you get to go in and get your stuff out of your safety deposit box if the bank closes?

do you get to go in and get your stuff out of your safety deposit box if the bank closes?

Bush and the Republicans who support him, including McCain are guilty of creating the worst economy in the nation's history and then to try to put the blame on the next administration! Treason is what Bush is about. Secret government and the establishment of absolute power in the executive branch are tools of dictatorships not democracies. The next President will inherit bad enough without any further Bush manipulations. Bush should be tried for high crimes against the constitution and war crimes against the Iraqi people. The Republican Lie Machine needs to be firmly put in its place by the people who are taking back their government, one small contributor at a time. Ask not what your government can do for you, but rather what you can do for your government. It is time for a change that creates American industry here instead of shipping it overseas. New jobs and new industries that manufacture things are the answer. Unfortunately this can no longer be left up to the wealthy to create jobs as they have become spoiled with tax breaks and giveaways of the Republicans under Bush. The incentives to take jobs out of the country and to produce our energy out of the country must be reversed. Barack Obama for President.

The banks are failing purely because of poor business practices and greed. Who ever in government and in the the industry who got us into this mess needs to be brought up on charges, imprisoned and banned from ever participating in the process again. Actually they should be executed for treason, but that is another issue.

If any bank should fold it should be Bank of America as, they give to illegals without needing a social security card. They want your's but not illegals. I will never deal with them again. I hope they fold up fast.

I just pulled out of a bank here in Colorado--it quit the mortage business and got a very bad rating from Bankrate.com. Both Academy Bank, (no business will accept their checks), and Mile High Banks are in trouble because of the managers are trying to do business the way it was done in the '50's.

We are headed for a world wide depression !The party is over greedy Americans.......

The bank that should fail (but can't) is the Federal Reserve. They cause it all and answer to no-one. Go back to the gold standard and you won't be able to spend what you don't have. Put an end to "fiat money". Balanced budgets and a sound economy would be the result. Slower growth, yes. But much safer.

alexander get real you can1t blame everything on President Bush, but you can on your congress and semate because these people were suppose to be watching for this especially with the banks you can't give an adjustable rate to people with an income of $60,000 a year and wants a 300,000 or 400,000 thousand dollar house, it can't be done not when you have other expenses like insurance, car, food, utilties etc. The person is getting into a deal way beyound theirsmeans and its not Presidents fault , it is the BANKS fault and the person taking the loan that why the banks are FAILING and hurting the economy. You can put OBAMA HUSSEIN WHO IS A POWER HUNGRY MAN THAT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE BLACKS OR WHITES, THE POOR OR THE MIDDLE CLASS , HE ONLY CARES ABOUT "POWER" AND YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT HARD NOW WAIT UNTIL THAT MUSLIM FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR OUT LIBERAL GIVING SOCIALISM TO OUR COUNTRY AND FOR ALL OF HIS BIG BIG BIG WORD CHANGE THAT HE SAID HE GOING TO CHANGE, CHANGES WILL BE TAXES AND MORE TAXES AND NO CHANGE FOR THE GOOD OF THE REAL AMERICAN CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY. HE IS NOT NOR DOES HE HAVE A PLAN FOR THE SECURITY OF THIS COUNTRY WHICH IS SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THROWING STONES AT PRESIDENT BUSH WHO HAS PROTECTED THIS COUNTRY. OMABA IS A SCARY SCARY SCARY SCARY MAN AND SHOULD TELL THE AMERICANS MORE ABOUT HIS HERTIGAGE SO WE AS AMERICANS CAN KNOW ABOUT HIM AND HIS BELIEFS AND WHAT HE STANDS FOR. GOD BLESS AMERICA,GOD BLESS THE REAL AMERICANS, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS KEEPING US SAFE FROM TERRIORISM AND IN "GOD" WE TRUST.

The Republican Party has never been any good! What we are seeing now is the result of a Republican President coupled with a Republican Congress. There will be a Depression but it will be the shortest and most violent that this country has ever experienced. In the aftermath we will have a government but it will be nothing like we have today. It will be run by Socialists under the guidance of a supreme dictator, appointed after the Economic Civil War.

It's not Bush per se. I see comments blaming the administration--but this is naive. The issue may be laid at the feet of the Republican Party. It's a party platform/policy to keep these financial institutions afloat. By supporting corporate money, the party believes that they are protecting jobs and campaign contributions. Make of that what you will.

go ahead folks and vote for george bush's 3rd term.. if you do you deserve what happens