Obama to Wall Street: 'We Want Our Money Back'

President talks tough, pledges to get 'every single dime' back

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2010 12:28 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama made with the tough talk today in announcing his proposal for a tax on big banks, pledging to recover “every single dime” the taxpayers spent bailing out Wall Street. “We want our money back, and we’re going to get it,” Obama declared. “If these companies are in good enough shape to afford massive bonuses, they surely are in good enough shape to afford to pay back every penny to taxpayers.”

Obama also chided the banks for lobbying against financial reform, and told them to accept their "responsibilities" to the taxpayers, reports the LA Times. "And I'd urge you to cover the costs of the rescue not by sticking it to your shareholders or your customers or fellow citizens with the bill, but by rolling back bonuses for top earners and executives," he said.

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Obama to Wall Street: 'We Want Our Money Back'