Taxpayer-Funded Bank Mergers?

The New York Times reported Tuesday that the Treasury Department is considering using part of a $250 billion fund associated with the Wall Street bailout effort to help facillitate bank mergers. Is this a good idea?

The surprising answer in this video from Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research highlights why it's important for grassroots activists to stay informed and stay active as federal officials move quickly, with no real congressional or public input, to reshape the financial landscape.

Also in this video, Marvin Silver, program manager at USAction, is helping to organize a series of actions to make sure that progressives have a say in how the financial industry is resuscitated and re-regulated, and in how Congress structures an economic stimulus package after the election.