Excellent, objective analysis CD. There is now no really good solution, only bad and worse - but if we don't go for bad, we will likely get worse. One problem with getting anything done regarding a "bailout" is credibility, actually lack thereof. After all, GW and company have been telling us, forever, that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong" - when those of us who have a clue knew that they weren't. Now when the administration does a complete 180 degree turn and screams that crisis is imminent, can anyone be blamed for suspecting that they may be crying "wolf". Afterall they are the same folks who gave us "WMDs" and "mushroom clouds" in their propaganda build-up to the invasion of Iraq.
Gold looks better and better.