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Brave New Films
Posted by ZP Heller on February 2nd, 2009
Bank of America Blows Bailout Bucks on Big Bowl Bash

Just when you thought Bank of America couldn’t abuse the bailout any more than they already have, the nation’s largest bank threw a lavish 5-day Super Bowl extravaganza worth $10 million, according to ABC.  Apparently, the tents alone for this party alone cost $800,000.  And the The Huffington Post reports that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bank of America’s multi-million dollar professional sports sponsorships.

Now, Bank of America claims that they were contractually obligated to throw this event, considering they’re the official bank of the NFL.  But as Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste, told ABC, “This is an exceptional year and it’s a time to say we’re not going to do business as usual. We’re going to say no, we’re going to show some restraint, and we’re going to cut back on something that really isn’t absolutely necessary.”

Show some restraint?  What a novel idea!  One would think that after taking $45 billion from taxpayers, you might consider a little prudence by scaling back on the excessive parties–or not throwing them at all.  You might also want to stop giving your executives millions in bonuses and flying them around on corporate jets.  And maybe, just maybe, show some gratitude by giving your workers adequate health care instead of laying off 35,000 of them, not to mention curbing your nasty predatory lending practices that helped cause this economic meltdown in the first place.

Clearly, Bank of America thinks the bailout has merely entitled them to continue their wasteful ways, and they will continue to do so until we demand accountability.

  • It appears a large majority of Americans have already made up their mind that 30,000 more troops in Afghanistan is not the right way to move forward.
  • Afghanistan
    Yes - it's a severe economic downturn, a recession. It's mildly amusing to see hysterical children like you flail about crazily. And stop sending links I don't read. My opinion is every bit as valid as any bloggers or writers. Funny, and this is the truth, when making a deposit at BofA a few days ago - the officer told me that BofA didn't get a dime in bailout money - it was a mandatory part of their acqusition of Merill Lynch. Ooops the other side let's not go there!

    Idiot.
  • Afghanistan
    You know nothing about banks here - you are a villager in Scotland. But you revealed your assinine Communist beliefs when you just said "Banks are in the business of making money and hence are not to be trusted."

    Are you in the business of making money? Moron.
  • Craig_Sipple1
    Here you go mr John 'everything will be fine because we are America' Ehrenfeld: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/articl...
    Instead of attacking bloggers on this site for pointing out 'truths' maybe your energy would be put to better use tackling your own countries domestic problems. You must be about the only person left that thinks this is a normal boom/bust depression.
  • Craig_Sipple1
    Do you think that because the BOA has the word 'America' in its title that that makes it any different form the Royal Bank of Scotland. Banks have no nationality John, they serve the formula that we have devised. Its the formula that needs looking at John, the rules that need changed. If you want to trust your bank, then you go right ahead. I have a lot of small business customers that are from Pakistan and Iran, they dont trust the banks and only use them for tax purposes, everything is in high denomination notes just like they have their money hidden somewere. I think I will be taking a page out of thier book soon, I am about to make a large investment in MOT equiptment for my business mainly for the purpose of getting my cash out of the bank. You want to keep your money in the BOA then good luck. Only 3% of all money is in the form of notes, the rest in virtual - a number in a computer. When everyone goes to take the money out at the same time, me and my middle Eastern colleagues wont be left without a chair. You must have 'chump' tatooed on your forehead lol
  • Afghanistan
    Because I do not believe it -- and I am here to expose lies and hypocrisy.
  • Craig_Sipple1
    I think its very plausable. We all know how the banking system works John. You put up your own experience as as argument but your direct experience cannot be applied as a truth for everyone just as mine cannot.

    There are no good banks or bad banks John, there are just banks playing by the rules that we set them. This formula carried out to its conclusion will invoke the same outcome time and time again:

    Banks are in the business of making money and hence are not to be trusted.
  • Craig_Sipple1
    The women is just telling her story, why does everything have to be so confrontational with you... try and relax.

    Sorry about him Laura.
  • Afghanistan
    I do not believe BofA ever intentionally debited your account or did so because they own ACH. Far be it from me to embrace large corporations in general, but I have been banking with BofA snce 1995 and have had zero trouble. They have been nothing but helpful. Also, NSF fees are usually 20 to 25 dollars. You are saying you couldn't make your payment because of 25 dollars? You said it was 2 months late.
  • Craig_Sipple1
    the women is just telling her story, sheez try and relax.

    sorry about him Laura
  • Laura
    After my BOA Account got screwed over the holidays with NSF fees due to an ACH fraudulent debit... (which I found out is a comp. that BOA owns) I filed a fraud complaint with BOA on the 13th, I needed the money put back in the account to pay my BOA car loan which was a month behind. 2 to 10 days I was assured replacement. On the 29th 16 days later the funds appeared but listed as pending, Planned on making the 2 month payment the next day when the pending was lifted. However the REPO man showed up at 10pm the 29th... Now I can't reach anyone as I have been placed on hold forever. BTW the recovery dept is closed on SAT & SUN. SO now I have storage & recovery fee as well. I now stand in line with the other 54 pages of main street victims at www.ripoffreport.com who also have been screwed by BOA's illegal & unethical banking practices. Besides the bailout they are robbing the little hands that feed them as well. The gatekeeper is asleep on the "Accountability Bus"
  • Craig_Sipple1
    The banks are gangsters Laura, they might as well hit us over the heads and go through our wallets.
  • Craig_Sipple1
    the souce for the facts below: Federal Reserves Survey of Consumer Finances
  • Craig_Sipple1
    by the by.

    The top 10% of America own 72% of Americas wealth. its a fact... ITS A FACT... undisputable. What is also undisputable is that if you were to exempt that 10% then America isnot the richest country in the world but the poorest in the Western world.


    ------------------

    The top 1% owns 37% of the wealth
    The bottom 90% owns just 28% of the wealth

    The top 1% of America owns more than the bottom 90%

    Another fact: most of the world is capitalist and most of the world is poor

    CAPITALISM is not FREE ENTERPRISE

    There lies the con. Like I said, good luck too you.
  • Afghanistan
    We are not a socialist country we are a capitalist country. Socialism does not work. Communism does not work. But then again, you don't know what they even mean you are to uneducated.
  • The Joker
    Both systems can work. YOU are the dummy. Capiltalism won't let go of its dominant stranglehold!
  • Craig_Sipple1
    I am not advocating Socialism John. I am advocating 'the mixed economy'. But if you like your system then good luck too you. Its interesting that you like to talk for everyone in America, right wing goofballs like to do that also. Trouble for you is you live in a democracy, its up to the majority not you alone.

    We will keep our system of capitalism policed by socialist policy. We are not the richest contenent on Earth for nothing John.
  • Ann
    What is going to be done to make these companies accountable for the spending of the bail out money?
  • Jeff
    Nationalize them; Jail the criminals; Re-assemble them to serve the US public ???

    Why the hell not !!!?

    Why not now?
  • Craig_Sipple1
    I came over to this thread to answer Ann's question with the answer 'nothing', but like your answer better Jeff.

    You could nationalize a lot and still have a free market for the middle class. (I hate this middle class term, here in the U.K the middle class means something completely different. People that work for a living are the 'working class'). Its the working class that drive the economy, look out your window, everything you see, all the infastructure, buildings, bridges, roads - everything was and being built by the 'working class'. Something has gotten mixed up along the way.

    In Europe in the 1800's the printing press was used to spead information via the man in the street corner handing out flyers. Labour organised amoung the 'working class', unions and social justice. The same in America, but your corporate class fought back big time during and after the great depression. Now you guys are all scared of using the word 'socialism' in puplic, most of you dont even know what it means you have been so misinformed and lied too. Funny how free speech works, you can say anything, except you cant say everything. Anyway I am wondering off... 'the internet', that is my point, protect the - your - internet!.

    kodos to this site for concentrating so much on the economy recently, other U.S left wing political sites are still yapping on insignificant destractions- the he said/she said rightwing/leftwing crap.
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