DUMMY146;S GUIDE TO U S BAILOUT DEBATE

What are the concerns?

Some feel the plan is vague, some don8217;t like the idea of using the average American8217;s hard-earned money to rescue the supercats of Wall Street from a disaster of their own making. And some others have a fundamental issue with the government intervening in the running of the capitalist system. Republican senator Jim Bunning described the idea as 8220;financial socialism,8221; and 8220;un-American8221;.

Can the deal collapse?

The stakes are as high as they could be. President Bush has warned of the collapse of the entire American economic system. The outlook appeared grim after Thursday8217;s meeting broke up in acrimony. Meanwhile, the clock ticks away, and time is running out for the passage of the bill. If the deal is not nailed over the weekend, next week will see bloodbaths in markets worldwide.

Where do Obama, McCain come in?

One of them will inherit this mess. Both have problems with the bailout. McCain has suspended campaigning and says he wants to concentrate on the bigger economic issue. Bush, Obama and McCain were to meet with various congressional leaders on Friday.