Is it a wonder to anyone that in the midst of the credit mess that the market for securitized credit card receivables and car loans has completely shut down?  Now King Henry Paulson wants to address these areas with some Tarp money.  The following concept seems lost in all this government intervention....the US consumer is too levered and does not need more debt to service. They need to pay down debt! This will happen as credit card lines get pulled over the next few months to the tune of $2 trillion, crushing consumers who are light on cash. Also, there are people that want to buy new cars that cannot get a loan.....well, too bad, go buy a used car and pay for it with cash if you need it.  If you don't have cash then drive what you have now. This idea that things need to go back to the way they were in the US, with easy credit and 6 credit cards in everyone's wallet is precisely what will not be the case in the future.  Americans will need to get used to this, it will not be easy to get a loan for anything in the foreseeable future unless you have exceptional credit.  This is the price the country must pay for years of ridiculously easy credit and a lifestyle well beyond the means.  The government will do something for student loans...this would be an investment in our country's future as opposed to worrying about people who are levered to the hilt not being able to finance the purchase of a new car that they cannot really afford, or blow up their credit card balance another few thousand dollars on consumer staples.  Happy Holidays.