After the House of Representatives fail pass the $700 billion “bailout” for Wall Street, the market acted violently by falling to a record 777 points. Both the House majority and minority leader urged colleagues to vote for the compromise legislation, but many congressmen from both parties were under pressure from their constituents to vote against the package.

It seems that most citizens who are against this legislation truly do not know the complicated and serious nature of this financial problem. Credits have dried up, and that would mean that “Main Street” America will suffer through denials of loans that are essential to our livelihoods. Even state governments are already suffering from the credit crunch.

Thomas L. Friedman appealed to his readers by writing, “I totally understand the resentment against Wall Street titans bringing home $60 million bonuses. But when the credit system is imperiled, as it is now, you have to focus on saving the system, even if it means bailing out people who don’t deserve it. Otherwise, you’re saying: I’m going to hold my breath until that Wall Street fat cat turns blue. But he’s not going to turn blue; you are, or we all are. We have to get this right.” (The New York Times)

Main Street America will have the chance to inquire the greedy executives in Wall Street, but the focus right now should be on saving the financial system. News organizations have so far done a fair job in explaining this complicated problem to people who are not familiar with the financial system. However, it is up to the government and the citizens to unite and save the system before the fire hits main street America.