The $700 billion bailout: How to see who voted which way

Depending on your point of view, you're either stunned that the House failed to pass this $700 billion bailout that the Secretary Treasury and White House has been imploring Congress to vote for, or you're pleased as punch.

Either way, if you want to compose an angry letter or offer a congratulatory phone call, there is an easy way to find out how your Congressperson voted.

Just click on this link. It's a link belonging to the Office of the Clerk at the U.S. House of Representatives and it explains who voted what way--the yays and nays. Since an election is coming up, you may want to check it out and exact your revenge at the voting booth this November. One warning, though. Any web site with a House.gov in its title right now is moving a little slower than usual. Actually, because of that, here's a CNN link, with the same information.

But, hey, kudos to everyone who at least put their names out there, voting one way or the other. Incredibly, a Republican Congressman from Illinois, Jerry Weller, didn't vote.

According to one article I've read, he isn't up for reelection, which may have had something to do with it. But considering how important this bill is, you'd like to think there was a different reason. Maybe he has the flu.

Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist and an author.