With all the bailout packages being done for corporate America, it was only a matter of time before some people started asking why not a bailout for black people. Why can’t the government do a bailout package that includes reparations for slavery? I’m on record as being vehemently opposed to cash reparations, but for those who support, there seems to be a conversation growing out of the barbershop and into the streets. The fact of the matter is that plenty of other people have received reparations, including Japanese-Americans and Native Americans. It only makes sense to consider reparations for the sons and daughters of slavery.  The question has always been, what does that look like? Does it look like college and/or business grants? Does it look like a tax break? Maybe a little off your light and gas bill every month. No one seems to know what would make everyone happy. This may be a question president-elect Barack Obama has to address sooner or later. The larger question has always been about how America would raise money to pay reparations, but if they can bailout the big auto companies, some people figure black folks could use a bailout too. What do you think?

Should America use bailout money to pay reparations to black folks?  Tell us here.

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(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

Folks, if there’s one thing to be learned from the failed bailout plan it’s this: the days of the bling-bling are dead. Saving accounts are much sexier than gold and diamond-encrusted grills.

The failure of the $700 billion bailout is going to hit a lot of us where we live — as in, our homes. I think the reason it was rejected out of hand was because it didn’t have anything to slow the foreclosure rates down and save our homes. So if you are behind on your mortgage payments, you better get caught up real quick. The banks are in a mess, and not ready to give anyone a break. And for those of us buying cars, houses and the like in this economy? You better be sporting a FAT bankroll, because the days of “no money down” are just about over.

You know the deal. Banks want damn near half up front to loan you money at a high percentage, even if your credit is right, which, of course, it ain’t. Student loans are going to not just get harder to secure, but the terms are gonna be more stringent, and you won’t be able to wait three, four years before you start repaying. You’ll be walking across the stage to get your diploma and dropping off your payment on the other side.

Both Obama and McCain are pointing fingers, saying this is the result of partisan beef. But that doesn’t help you or me get a car loan or put our kids through school now does it? The truth of the matter is that even as hopeful and boisterous as officials were about the bailout, they knew if would fail. It was too much money and too few long-term fixes. All the fat cats got off the hook, and it left you and me holding the bag. We have to be more serious about socking money away.

Quiet as it’s kept, the failure of the bailout is probably the best case scenario—now heads can go back and draw something up that actually benefits all Americans, now and into the future. What do you think?

QUESTION: What would be the best bailout plan for you?  Tell us here.

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(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)