The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) has been reviled by many; the public at large continues to see it as a bailout for fat cats that was anything but necessary to stop the spread of financial carnage. But as of now, we have to be willing to consider the possibility that it has been a resounding success.

The $700 billion program could end up actually turning a profit for taxpayers. The latest estimate from the Treasury Department is that taxpayers will lose less than $50 billion at worst, reports the New York Times. At best, should the sale of AIG and car company shares fare well,  the program could actually provide a healthy return for Uncle Sam. We'll just have to see.

There is reason to be skeptical of these offerings. But in any case, the program has achieved what it was designed to do. It will remain controversial, however, and its success is not the type of thing incumbents will want to tout on the campaign trail, the Times notes.

For more:
- here's the article

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