The U.S. Treasury is giving American Express almost $4 billion in TARP funds. Details here. This is appalling. If there is an organization less vital to the the economic viability of this country than American Express I can't name it. This is just so depressing. For what are they going to use the money? Consumer subsidies on $50 steaks at Ruth's Chris? Funding for a new pretentious ad campaign featuring the very special people who are "members?"

What in the world is Paulson thinking? He denied the car companies help and then ladles in out for these idiots, who, as anyone who follows this industry knows, is in trouble because they started pumping cards out to pretty much anybody who asked for one a few years ago, and now they can't collect. What jerks.