Grover
Norquist (pictured), who heads an influential Washington group advocating tax cuts, Monday
asked the Treasury Department to hand him the entire $700 billion designated
for the Troubled Asset Recovery Program.
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In a letter to Neel Kashkari, Norquist
informed the Treasury's point man for TARP that he had submitted the two-page
application for institutions seeking a portion of TARP funds. Norquist's tone
was sarcastic but his message was serious. He opposes the bailout and wants the
money returned to U.S. taxpayers, which he said he would do if his request is
honored.
In his letter, Norquist
said he is "fully aware that some $125 billion has already been allocated ...
however, given that the federal government has the full weight of the army, the
FBI, etc. behind it, I am confident that you can re-appropriate this money from
the likes of Wells Fargo (or their successor companies, if the current over-regulatory
and over-taxing economic climate has caused them to go under)."
- Bill McConnell
