TARP Arm Twisting Documented

Recently released Treasury documents strongly suggest that former Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Bernanke arm-twisted major bank CEOs to take TARP funds whether they wanted or needed them or not.

We don't believe it is tenable to opt out because doing so would leave you vulnerable and exposed.

If a capital infusion is not appealing, you should be aware that your regulator will require it in any instance.

Of course, it will never happen in this Administration, but both Paulson and Bernanke should be brought up on charges relating to this threat. If proven, each should receive the maximum prison sentences such crimes carry.

Beyond the legal issue, both should be run out of any responsible office, if not the country. They are worse than Bernie Madoff in their perfidy and the practical damage they've done to the economy.

However, it takes no prescience at all to predict that no unpleasant consequences will come to either man. Quite the reverse; Paulson will continue to be ignored while Bernanke is lionized by the press. Both will receive huge fees on the lecture circuit later.

The Federal government has passed the point of caring about morality or enforcing the law, unless the issue aligns with Progressive goals. For that reason alone all Progressive politicians and policies should be expunged from American life. That, too, won't happen, at least not until there is a sea change in the culture. When it comes, we can only hope it's a flood large enough to wash away 100 years of pragmatist evil.

[Hat tip: John Hindraker at Powerline]