This morning while I was driving to work, the sun was creeping over the horizon, beginning to illuminate the sky.  It was the best part of having to wake up early on a Saturday morning; but, not as good others.  I'm sure many people woke up - conservatives especially - today wondering how our world has changed as of yesterday afternoon.  Indeed, it seems almost surreal that two words could have such a profound effect on the future of this country: "It passed."

With those words all the speeches spoken, articles written, and arms twisted resolved into a decisive defeat.  Indeed, the favorite in the battle emerged the clear victor.  Nevertheless, all week I hoped against hope for this bill to fail. Wouldn't it have made a great underdog story? Can you see the headlines: "House Fails Again." Toward this effort, some valiant, courageous men toiled: Neil Cavuto, Mike Huckabee, Mark Sanford (our Governor in SC), and Jim DeMint.  To be sure there are more, but these are the men that argued not only once, but twice.  Not only did they do when it was popular, they did when people were scared after Monday's drop in the market.  What's more, they did it for the right reasons: Regardless of the consequences, free-markets are ultimately better than socialism.  Not only in outcomes, but for the character of every single adult that toils for his keep, strives for those things he values in life, struggles for a little slice of the world that he can claim unequivocally, without fear of force or fraud taking this away from him.

Indeed, it's the ultimate in paradox: that man needs struggle to improve character, but most seek rest whenever possible.  From this paradox, we can see how capitalism necessarily provides that which makes men better.

This is not so in socialism; this is clear from the very benefit one derives under this system - security of outcome.  If you don't have to worry about thow things will shake-out, then there's no real struggle.

What becomes of a country when her people haven't the ability to care for themselves?  How can she expect those people to preserve her in times of distress? These are the most important questions this bail-out has stirred up.  These questions are the ones overlooked by republicans and supposed capitalists who cast away their principles for a trillion-dollar high - a high that will have the hangover of generations.

One final question: Do any of these people regret the incredible peril in which they placed the character of nation and each individual citizen therein?