I'm wondering where MY bailout is. You know for the average, hardworking, penny saving, living below their means Joe. I've been saving and paying my debts down to nearly nothing, and what do I have to show for it? Well, granted I'm gonna be in a lot better financial situation in 2009 than many others, but my 401k has lost 50% this year because of this whole sub-prime mess. It's not my fault that people can't be responsible and understand the terms of their mortgage, and when they can't make the payments it eventually trickles down to me! I'm losing money in mutual funds because the banks are losing money because Mr. Spenda-lota-ca$h can't figure out that there's no such thing as "free money" (unless you are the US Gov). I'm waiting on my 401k bailout.

I haven't made any bad financial decisions in the past few years, yet I'm being hit hard. I can only be glad that I have many, many more years until I can actually start using all the money that I'm losing in my 401k. What about an extra tax break for us responsible citizens that did not cause this mess? Perhaps the IRS could makes a little note on our 401k's that evaluates our current financial involvement in the crisis, and if we meet certain criteria, cut us a break? "Let's see Mr. Desh, you have not contributed to this mess, so all of the money that you invested from 2005-(end of crisis) will not be taxed when your 401k expires". This sounds reasonable enough to me.