Has Bailout Money Been Given Out to Those Who Need It or Just Want It?

Goldman Sachs(GS) and Morgan Stanley(MS) are the only two brokerage houses left. Both have been able to keep their balance sheets somewhat in check and are the only ones left standing. While neither one did a whole lot of lending, was either really in as much trouble as those used to surviving solely on lending? Both were given bailout money but now say they can possibly pay it back as soon as the end of this year. Now, in an economy as tight as this, how can they pay that money back and still survive? Few IPOs are coming out, and investing in a market as volatile as this can only make you so much. I mean lets be realistic here. Keeping all your money under your mattress will return you more than you could investing. So how are they going to make money to stand on their own.

If Morgan and Golman really don't need this bailout money, then why accept it? First, that sent a message to the market that even the biggest and best were having trouble and the market prices dropped precipitously. Second, not only will they have to pay back the principal amount but also all the interest accrued over that time period. Third and most importantly, our taxes could have been spent on something to help the economy, not a bank that doesn't even need it. If they really did not need the money, I am ashamed of them. However, if we think investing wise, maybe these two banks are the best and are worth looking at again. If they don't need the bailout, maybe they are doing something right.