JP Morgan, the best-run bank in America, took their $25B and decided to use the money for acquisitions and leveraging their position in the free-falling market. The point of the money was to start lending but, without the government explicitly stating their position, JP Morgan acted like a dumb, self-centered bitch.

The government isn't worried about trust. Nobody trusts the US government and they still manage to function. Primarily, because they run the police and the army. Lawful use of lethal force is a great hedge against the absence of trust.

The United States government has announced plans to buy equities in banks.

This is insane. Forget the fact that Henry Paulson announced this plan on a Friday evening to be certain that nobody pays attention, the plan is an announcement that the thieves are firmly in power.

The United States has decided to become WW2 fascist Italy. Nazi Germany also believed that corporations should be under state control.