Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to any more bailouts of private institutions, including the automakers. Secretary Paulson, Chairman Bernanke and the rest of the Bush administration have been slow and ineffective at implementing their financial rescue plan signed into law October 3. While members of both parties made it clear that approval of the plan was contingent on congressional oversight, there has not been a free flow of information between the administration and Congress. 

The continued instability of our financial markets has left many Americans questioning the decisions made by Treasury and doubting that this plan will ultimately succeed. Our government can earn back the trust of Americans if we resist spending money we do not have, implement needed reforms and let competition determine success or failure in the market place.