<p>Some of the bail-outs have also led to charges of hypocrisy due to the apparent <q>socializing of the costs while privatizing the profits.</q>  Furthermore, the institutions being rescued are typically the ones got  the world into this trouble in the first place. For smaller businesses  and poorer people, such options for bail out and rescue are rarely  available when they find themselves in crisis.</p>
<p>Plummeting stock  markets at one point wiped out 33% of the value of companies, $14.5  trillion. Taxpayers bailed out their banks and financial institutions  with large amounts of money. US taxpayers alone have spent some $9.7  trillion in bailout packages and plans. The UK and other European  countries have also spent some $2 trillion on rescues and bailout  packages. More is expected. Much more.</p>