One technique that House leadership has traditionally used to corral votes for unpopular legislation is the earmark. In exchange for a reluctant "yes" vote from a member in a state like Texas, House leaders from Tip O'Neill to Tom DeLay would either put projects for that district in the bill or promise them projects in a later bill.
This kind of exchange is completely unethical--actually it's bribery.
But it did get a lot of legislation passed.
If Pelosi and Boehner didn't think they could do earmarks in the $700 billion bailout, that might be one of the reasons why it failed.
Personally, I'd rather pay for a lot of earmarks than an economic depression.
Pork Anyone?
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I came to a rather libertarian conclusion last night and have slept soundly sense - the market will take care of itself bankruptcies just mean assets aquired and it punishes those who made these risky moves rather than rewarding them - if we go through with the bailout we set a far more frightening concept in the market and that is, it is devoid of risk and rewards these kind of actions - it will work itself out - look into "japans lost decade" a very similar situation - a great read can be found here - http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2008/07/will-japans-lost-decade-become-norm.html
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