Like most sentient beings, I'm pretty much outraged by the news that Merrill Lynch handed out $4 - $5 billion in "bonuses" last month, knowing full well that the funds would ultimately come out of taxpayers' pockets.  The only reason Merrill was being bought out by BofA is that it had failed. 

My humble suggestion, which I sent to Barney Frank via email, is that Congress pass a tax provision for tax year 2008, setting the tax rate on bonuses paid by companies receiving TARP funds or being bought by companies receiving TARP funds, at 100%.

This would not only recoup the money, but we would also undoubtedly see the spectacle of at least a few Republicans in congress and their media mouthpieces railing against the confiscatory tax rate on stolen taxpayer money.

Like I said, I emailed Barney Frank, even though I'm not a constituent and that's a no-no (I did apologize at the end of the email for my deception).  It probably wouldn't hurt if Barney heard the same idea from some folks who actually reside in his district, and it might be even better if other Democratic reps got the same suggestion.