If private industry companies make bad decisions that lead to their failure, neither you or I should be on the hook for it.

I'm pretty sure I agree with you, there. And it seems like both ends of the spectrum are at fault, going way back, especially the greedy corporate CEOs. AND the government. It seems fashionable to blame one or the other, but it's really both (and yeah, more complicated).

I don't own stocks (except whatever's invested from an IRA--see how ignorant I am?), and I'm pretty happy about that right now. I'm also happy I have a job that's not going to disappear any time soon.

I'm all for serious transparency in whatever is decided on. Because allowing a government takeover with no accountability? That's not socialism, that's suicide.