Some items to keep in mind:

1. War on Terror and TARP are large portion of the current USA deficit, probably 80% or higher.

2. Over-issuance of AAA ratings will come back to bite as it has to be rolled-over at some point.

3. TARP spending direct result of not controlling the security class known as derivatives ...precedent last time we had to assert Federal control to correct market excesses in securities as 1929-1930 with the SEC act. IN other words we could force security exchanges to outlaw derivatives to bring order/stability back but anyone receiving bank lobby money will not broach that subject.