THE ISSUE: Whether Treasury Secretary Geithner is suited to handle the economic crisis.
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When President Obama tells us that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is an outstanding public servant, it’s time for Geithner to look out for speeding buses (“Gunning for Geithner,” Kirsten Powers, Post- Opinion, March 23).
James Ring
Ossining
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Everyone knows whether they owe taxes, and whether or not AIG executives received those bonuses would hardly be an impediment to saving the company.
Kirsten Powers states that the bonuses are about “one-tenth of one percent of the overall AIG bailout money in short, this ‘problem’ is a tiny part of the overall crisis.”
Geithner could easily have left out those bonuses. In fact, some of those receiving them had already left the company.
This administration’s handling of the matter shows how really wet behind the ears it is.
Richard Reay
The Bronx
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How long is it going to take for Obama’s ringing endorsement of Geithner to turn into a “Brownie, you are doing a heck of a job” or a “Mission Accomplished” sound bite?
George Cummings
Lakeville, Pa.
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Heres’s how to replace Geithner:
Have the government make a list of all US citizens who paid their income taxes in full in a timely manner for the last 20 years.
From that list, take those who are up to date on their mortgage or rent and who have paid it in full in a timely manner for at least the last five years.
From that list, select those who have saved at least 5 percent of their salary over the last year.
Finally, test everyone on the resulting list for ability to add, subtract, multiply and do long division.
Appoint that person secretary of the Treasury.
Stephen Klips
Manhattan
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There is considerable outrage over AIG’s enormous bonus payments.
Obama, who pledged “transparency in government,” failed to alert the public about the bonuses the day he found out about them and failed to take immediate action.
The economy is by far the No. 1 concern for Americans. However, Obama and Geithner have yet to fill key positions in Treasury, leaving the department understaffed and in disarray.
Obama needs to stop blaming others and focus on the economic problems at hand.
Name-calling doesn’t help the current economic calamity.
Obama, one of the most inexperienced men to assume the presidency in nearly a century, must learn to lead, be honest with the American electorate and focus on the problems at hand.
Christian Gatsby
Hoover, Ala.
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Sen. Chris Dodd has admitted that he lied, and Geithner also lied.
That list is going to include just about all of Obama’s cabinet picks. This is just the beginning.
I dont think this is what most Americans meant when they voted for change.
Raymond Fauchon
Port St. Lucie, Fla.
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Obama’s administration can’t find any Democrats to work for Geithner who don’t have tax problems.
This is unbelievable.
The Democrats have proven that they don’t care about taxes because none of them pay them starting with Rep. Charlie Rangel.
B.T. Wall
Woodbridge, NJ
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Geithner should ask Obama to appoint Bernie Madoff to a position that would let him work his magic and make the national debt disappear.
Madoff’s bonus pay, when the job is done, could be $65 billion enough to pay his victims what he owes them.
Obama could then pardon Madoff for his crimes, and Obama, Geithner and Madoff would become real American heroes.
Gerry Poling
Shrewsbury, NJ