Lots of candidates for the next bailout:
* California and other states.
* Several readers predicted, with varying degrees of seriousness, that law firms are next.
* An Atlanta reader suggested that “With all sectors seemingly going under, they will have trouble paying their ‘professional service providers’, so as an employee at a CPA firm, I’d like to add our industry to the list of those needing a bailout from the bailout.” Don’t we all need that?
* Bill Schambra at Hudson’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal pointed to this piece where charities are asking for a bailout.
* Of course: “You’re leaving out Mexico. After all, the collapse of the housing market has had a disproportionate effect on illegal aliens and on their extended families in Mexico who relied on monthly checks from the workers. Another half trillion should do it.”
* And finally, a couple of small businesspeople wrote to say they they’re also hitting a rough patch but don’t want a bailout: “We are struggling as are most of businesses my size. We are doing everything in our power to keep everyone. Our first thought isn’t “how many do we layoff?” … We don’t look for handouts. We wake up each day and work as hard as we can to keep this business going. For us, it’s not just business, it’s our life and our livelihood.” It’s good to know that there are at least a few Americans left with some self-respect.