Wow, it's been quite a day. I knew when developing the Bailout Watch iPhone application that it had the potential to strike a chord, but today was the day that chord was officially struck. I appeared on the Fox & Friends television show this morning to talk about the app, and the response in the few hours since has been pretty remarkable. Politics aside, there are apparently quite a few people who like the idea of becoming more informed about how and where our tax money is being spent, and who also think a mobile device is a cool medium to do it. Here's the Fox & Friends segment:

I think it's worth explaining that I don't see the Bailout Watch app as a political tool, even though some people will inevitably choose to view it in that light. Our current financial struggles, along with the attempted remedies explored by the app, were created by both political parties. Sure, there are pieces and parts that were pushed by each party, but Washington as a whole hoisted the bailout upon us. I only bring this up because I would caution you to approach the problem of the bailout, and any solution that may follow, in philosophical terms, not political terms. Not because I'm defending one party or another but because it's simply unproductive. This is an American problem - one way or another, let's act together as Americans to figure out a way to solve it. And my first recommendation is to start at home - we could all do a better job of being more independent and resourceful; i.e. less personal debt, less over-consumption, more responsibility, and more accountability...to ourselves. Only when we've truly set this example as individuals and families can we honestly expect more out of our elected leaders.

If you'd like to learn more about the Bailout Watch app: http://www.bailout-watch.com/.