There is one thing we cannot allow to happen after this bailout.  We cannot allow the perpetrators to escape unscathed.  This was brought on by two distinct groups.

Money Men

We must ensure that any solution has strong wording to ensure the money men do not run off with their new found capital.  The government/taxpayer needs to take their pound of flesh from this good deed….salary restrictions, complete transparency, a beefed up SEC, etc.

Over Extended Homeowners

The full weight of their failure should be felt.  These people had no right getting these loans, and if they didn’t know what they were getting into that is no excuse.  Buying a house is the most money 95% of Americans will ever spend at one time, so not knowing the terms is criminal.  Let these people fail now…don’t drag it out and make this last longer than it should.

As, citizens, we have started to wake up.  The failure of the bailout on Monday demonstrates the awareness.  Now the challenge is to keep that awareness and ensure everything is done to our liking.