How many of us would like to be taxed twice on the same money and then thank the politicians responsible? The answer is the same number of people who favor the new bank fees being imposed on the nations' largest banks by the Obama Administration ("They still don't get it," Jan. 14).

The American taxpayer "bailed out" the banks (even those banks which did not wish to take government money) and other large companies when their poor planning and decision making resulted in the recession. This ushered in the era of "too big to fail." This is the ultimate golden parachute.

Now, because of the political advantages of being seen as tough on compensation, our elected officials are going to punish the banks. Never mind that the banks have paid back the loans some never even sought. Never mind that the fees are supposed to cover the losses of other industries.

The fact is, no expense incurred by the banks truly gets paid by the banks. Every expense (government fees and regulations included) is ultimately passed on to the consumer. In case you had any doubt, the consumer is you, the tax payer.

The result is that the Troubled Asset Relief Program continues to be the largest taxpayer rip-off in the history of our nation, perhaps the history of the world! After bailing out these companies to the tune of many billions of dollars, we will now pay that money back by way of increased fees imposed by the banks to cover their expenses incurred to cover the losses of the auto industry.

The result is that the American taxpayer loaned these failed or failing companies their hard earned money to pull these companies out of a hole they created. Then the American taxpayer gets to "pay back" that money by paying increased fees for products and services as a result of our elected officials' desire to be seen as tough on the "fat cats." The banks still make their profits (as they should), the politicians look like they're looking out for the "little guy" and we foot the bill.

Happy now?

Donald S. Smith, Baltimore