The government bailout represents a failure of leadership in government. The bailout is counterproductive because it rewards companies that were irresponsible while punishing those that played by the rules. Justin will oppose bailouts and bonuses for company executives that made bad decisions at the expense of the American economy.

The financial crisis was set off by politicians, including Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, who encouraged lenders to give mortgages to those who could not afford them in the long-run. Sub-prime mortgages were handed out with little or no money down and with teaser interest rates that later adjusted to higher levels. The bad mortgages were repackaged and sold to investors around the world, creating a financial time bomb.

Justin will oppose bailouts and bonuses for company executives that made bad decisions at the expense of the American economy.

The “TARP” bailout funds were supposed to get to the root of the problem: mortgage foreclosures. Instead, the government has spent billions of dollars on golden parachutes, executive bonuses, and big salaries for failed CEOs. Now the corporations that were bailed out will not say where they have put the money. Congress has failed to demand accountability all along.

Chris Murphy did not provide leadership from his seat on the Financial Services Committee when oversight was needed most. As your representative, Justin will never abandon his responsibilities in Congress.