Here's the problem with bailouts: for some reason, taxpayers expect that if they're going to give a business a few billion dollars, they should have a say in how the money is spent.

The CEO's of Detroit's "Big Three" learned that lesson when they were caught flying to Washington on their private jets to ask for bailout money.

The banks are repeatedly getting caught in the trap. Every marketing deal or lavish client promotion is subject to media and taxpayer scrutiny because there's public money in the mix now. Most notable this week -- Citigroup and its 400 million dollar deal to put the "Citi Field" name on the new ballpark for the New York Mets.

The argument put forth yesterday by the bank is a little ridiculous. It says no bailout money is being used for the stadium deal. They may keep the money in separate accounts -- but isn't one dollar as good as the next?

Labels: Citigroup bailout Citifield