The world we live in--and life in general

I wish I knew more about economics. I'm tired of adopting every economists opinion I hear that sounds rational--I want to form my own opinion about what is happening right now, but I am not sure what media sources I can trust--everything seems sensationalized, even though it might actually not be.
My gut reaction to everything going on in the world right now is that I'm scared of these huge dollar amounts, and find it hard to believe that we are going to solve this problem by cutting taxes and instituting a few programs that have a very finite life span. Yet, I don't want to pay any more taxes, and I agree that *something* needs to happen to turn this horrible trainwreck around before our economy grinds to a halt. Although, what kills me about a democratic agenda is the "programs" and my perception of the taxes I pay is that I am basically writing a check to people who have made unwise decisions in life (or at least less wise than the ones I made.) I hate it that I feel this way, shouldn't those of us who are well and educated and were fortunate enough to find (and retain) jobs give a leg up to those who are sick or started out in life from a different place than I did?
I guess my views on entitlement and taxes lean a little to the right. There is more to politics than these two issues but I can't see anything else right now.
At the same time, I don't think the government should do nothing. What I think is, the initial bail out of the financial institutions was a little hasty. I work at a financial institution and we are well capitalized and conservative in every way. Our loan portfolio is suffering right now, but not nearly to the extent of many other lenders. The thing that is going to suck most in the months/years ahead is that my bank and other smaller, wiser banks are going to be penalized for the sins of the huge banking giants who couldn't honor their deposits; our FDIC premium is skyrocketing right now. And there aren't any caveats or credits attached--now WE are bailing them out because we did the right thing. When does anyone get their due here? Its a tough call, because the consumers are the ones who ultimately pay for this mess if someone doesn't step in. And generally conservative consumers put their money in banks to protect it. But damn, Sam. Doesn't seem like anyone gets a break in this economy except the bad guys.
Which brings me to my next woe: our house. It won't sell. The real estate agents make me feel like its a piece of crap shack and how dare we try to sell among all the other castles in our price range. I've got news for all of you buyers out there who have looked at my house and turned up your nose: suck it. This house is 32 years old, and has been reasonably well maintained, but it has been LIVED in by children and dogs and people who have tried to improve it with limited skills... it is far from perfect. It is far from immaculate. But its pretty. Its NICE. Its big. The flaws are not fatal, they are largely cosmetic and largely fixable in a relatively short time frame. So, why, you ask, am I not fixing them myself? Because we've done just about everything we have the time, money, and energy for. Accomplishing a project with a 5 month old child is nothing short of a miracle. And the weekend is only 2 days long. We felt our price took into account all those little things that aren't perfect; but apparently that isn't the case. Do me a favor, friends: take a look at www.3308tomahawk.com and tell me your HONEST opinion--should we just let these bullying buyers have it their way? I feel like I'm already leaning over with my pants around my ankles...waiting...