My husband heard an interesting comment from an economist.

The government could mail a check to every homeowner who has a principal mortgage balance of $75,000.  Each homeowner would get $21,000 to spend and it would cost $700 billion.  Cash immediately gets into the economy; back into the lender's pockets as a loan paydown, CD, savings account or tossed into the stock market.  Fast, simple, requires no new government agencies, no new oversight committees, and no new goverment employees - obviously it won't be done. If the goal is to grease the credit market wheels with cash, give the cash directly to "Main Street" homeowners.

The most feared statement:  I'm from the government, I'm here to help.