Comments on: Bill Moyers Journal Tonight: American Banking Oligarchs

By: The Real Halls of Power « The Baseline Scenario

The Real Halls of Power « The Baseline Scenario — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:20:29 +0000

[...] a comment » Move over, Bill Moyers.* Simon is going to be on Stephen Colbert [...]

By: carol rasmussen

carol rasmussen — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:05:28 +0000

I agree the foxes running this show are in the henhouse eating the chickens. how long do these foxes expect the FDIC to remain solvent when there are no more chickens to eat?

By: RealTime Economic Issues Watch

RealTime Economic Issues Watch — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:51:15 +0000

[...] there be a clear, upfront commitment to reprivatization, with a promise that large banks will be broken up in the process? Changing the industrial structure of banking is essential for altering the political economy of [...]

By: Bank Nationalization: A Viewer’s Guide « The Baseline Scenario

Bank Nationalization: A Viewer’s Guide « The Baseline Scenario — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:20:58 +0000

[...] Will there be a clear, upfront commitment to reprivatization, with a promise that large banks will be broken up in the process? Changing the industrial structure of banking is essential for altering the political economy [...]

By: Lindsay Kellock

Lindsay Kellock — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:19:24 +0000

Pat Smitt: Thank you for sharing your view of the PBS Frontline program Meltdown. I supposed the best advice for viewers is ‘Stay Tuned’. In reference to the U.S. settlement with Swiss banking regulators, I found it interesting that in Switzerland, although tax fraud is viewed as criminal, tax evasion is not.

By: Lindsay Kellock

Lindsay Kellock — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:27:29 +0000

Tony – thank you very much for your clarification on the PBS Frontline broadcast. I agree with you that grass roots organizing is the effective longterm strategy to achieve public accountability. I wonder if this alone will be sufficient to forestall further bank bailouts, or to account for money already given to the banks and other financial institutions. I could wish there were answers to such questions as “Where’s the money?” “What did it accompliah (in detail)” “Who are the creditors?” etc.
One effort towards accountability is being made in Canada is by an org called Democracy Watch, (www.dwatch.ca) which has asked Members of Parliament to sign and observe an accountability document. However, MPs are not rushing like lemmings to sign. Presumably, if they were to sign, they would not lob gobs of cash to bailout a few institutions, but create and enrich programs that would create, for the Canadian public, real jobs that can support families, and a safety net for those who cannot find or who cannot work (upper age seniors, for example).
Your president was visiting yesterday, received a fervent welcome here and created an excellent impression and an auspicious debut.

By: Tony Johnson

Tony Johnson — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:09:12 +0000

LINDSAY (and all readers), Your interpretation of Frontline’s dog-and-pony show, “Meltdown”, is accurate. Interviews are not for the truth, they are for “eyeballs” (advertising money), and self- promotion (usually on BOTH sides – network/interviewee). There is a saying about these types of “briefings” in the Special Operations community, called “The Mushroom Effect” that describes interviews well: “Kept in the dark, and fed bullshit.” No real leader would ever let happen to his/her people, what the cowardly and incompetent little “Wizards of Oz” we have in leadership positions, with their blinding greed, are doing to the people of our country. The basics to a good society are: The goernment’s job is to take care of the people, and the job of business is to make money. When making money prevents any of the people from having their real “needs” met, the government should step in and correct the problem. Making money through business is a privilege, that should be allowed to go pretty much unfettered (just an opinion), permitting those who choose business as their way of life, to fulfill their (and their employees) “wants”, not just their “needs”, UNTIL (actually, before) it has negative consequences on the people’s “needs”. This has been way out of control for many decades (centuries?!). Mike Walsh [Lt. Cmndr. USN SEALs (retired)] couldn’t have said it any better, when he said “Real leaders scare people”. We have all these (and more coming) crises, because we have a Leadership Crisis in our country. Action needs to happen that will correct the financial/economic-crisis. Endlessly talking about the problems we have (is there ANYONE who doesn’t know we have serious problems!) accomplishes nothing, except give those who are the cause of the problems more time to stall, wait for anything good that happens (clearly not of their doing), and find many devious ways to take credit for it, etc., ad nauseam. We don’t need to hear what is obvious, common-sense, and already known, as if what “they” are saying is a profound revelation. Where are the Community Organizers (and the “concerned experts” always getting interviewed – “buy my book”) that get funded to help their communities, who should be organizing their neighborhoods, to have serious protests at the elected officials and corporate CEOs offices/buildings, when the people are getting ripped off – with the “experts” walking and marching side-by-side with them??? The PEOPLE have the power to do anything. You can’t find a politician after elections, but you can’t get rid of them DURING elections. They NEED the people to vote for them, regardless of the amount of money they have raised. Get active. Organize. If your “organizers” aren’t doing their job, replace them. Don’t get “bought off”. Get started and you will pick up a natural momentum that will spread. Get sincere people involved, you don’t need “perfect” people. Keep your minds open to everyone. You will be amazed at the talent and fearlessness that is out there in your communties. Add ACTION to your talking and typing.

By: Petros

Petros — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:43:38 +0000

can’t say I agree with Simon about entrusting the FDIC to manage or “intevene” ailing banks, look at the complete disaster with Washington Mutual, do you think the FDIC acted fairly pawning off a $300B deposit base to JP Morgan for 1.9B? The fact of the matter is no regulatory body of this government can be trusted to do what’s legal and fair.

By: Pat Smitt

Pat Smitt — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:30:36 +0000

Lindsay; I found the Frontline “Meltdown” to be a slightly more in depth look at the breakdown showing more clearly how the major players were forced to face their crumbling failures. I did not see dieties through my lens – but neither did I see solutions. on another note – Interesting global news shows Swiss banks assisting U.S. investigate possible tax fraud in “swiss bank accounts”.

By: Lindsay Kellock

Lindsay Kellock — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:26:40 +0000

Tony is right – we have to keep positive. I found that especially difficult after viewing PBS Frontline “Meltdown” program earlier this week. Unless my interpretation is entirely mistaken, it seemed to diefy the architects of our present plight. Did anyone else view and can they tell me if their impression is similar to mine? I found the presentation in opposition to Mr. Johnson’s messages.

By: Tony Johnson

Tony Johnson — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:25:52 +0000

ALL READERS/COMMENT-MAKERS!!! All of your comments prove there is more than enough intelligence and common sense available to solve the financial crisis, as well as other serious problems. Maybe all of you should run for political office, and appoint people YOU know who are capable of doing what needs being done! GIVE IT SERIOUS THOUGHT! We need sincere people, not perfect people. We hear the gossip and the rumours, but we support those who prove they care, know what to do, and have guts.

We have to clean out our political, financial, corporate, and “other”, “houses”, and replace those who have caused the problems with new faces. Don’t let them get away with blaming the “institutions”, and so on. It is the PEOPLE/PERSON in the institutions that make the decisions, not the “White House”, “Congress”, Banks”, “Corporations”, and so on.

One of you (in the 80s “comments” I believe) mentioned how easily he was replaced by a competent young person when he retired! We have a lot of very competent people who could easily step in and take over, and do a fine job, where we are having problems. When I hear the so-called “experts” and “leaders” talking about the importance of each others’ “experience” in Washington, and elsewhere, I tell them they neglect to mention that the RESULTS of their “years of experience” has been failure! The condition our world is in could not be better proof of their incompetence, greed, self-promotion, and cowardice. I say the same things to them when I’m presented with a list of their credentials, titles, positions, etc., ad nauseam. When that fails to be impressive is when they start getting nervous. My suggestions are for everyone to keep the pressure on by actions (make “cold-calls” to their offices; make appointments to meet with them; “cc” any correspondence you send to them, to the media; protest marches, etc.), letter writing, emails, phone calls, and so on. As “SANDY” mentioned in a previous comment, they get scared when they actually SEE large numbers of people (CONSTITUENTS) taking action and doing something. Let them know you want to see more than token results, or “examples” that are often their ONLY example. Go, unannounced, to see their operations and programs you voted for, or donated to. The nonprofits and NGOs are more often than not, just as bad. They thrive on NOT being checked, and the money they waste and mismanage is astronomical. They rely on PR, fancy names on their BODs and funders, etc., to give the appearance of competence, success, and so on, to keep getting money. Why are the problems they have been “solving” for so long, with so much money given, with so many people involved, and massive amounts of money spent on advertising, getting worse. It is so easy to tear their excuses apart as to be laughable, then they stomp away like the gutless, self-promoting little weenies they are. It’s worse for them if you have a program like we do that has proven it can do what they have never been able to do, that they often claim is impossible to accomplish, and with a cost-effectiveness that is spectacular. I’ ve had them jog to get away from me!

WICKY! Action!!! Yes, I agree with you, positive patriotism that encompasses all countries who also want peace and prosperity for their people and country is a good way to go. The world is capable of being a wonderful “family”.

LINDSAY KELLOCK – 15 Feb/3:42pm! I like “Whacko!”!!! And, YES, “board the bus”, and lets ALL “hurtle down the road”! You’ve got guts!!! Go for it! Only when they feel threatened will those presently in positions of power and authority get off their butts and do what is right! They will want to discourage you, so don’t let them do it!!! As is often said, “You go girl!”

MDGelly – 3:44pm! I did get a response to your same question. BaselineScenario is looking for a way to make the connections possible, and are asking for any suggestions anyone might have, to keep us all in touch with each other (email addresses), and involved. Technology is not my forte, but some of you probably have good ideas as to what might work. If so, contact them.

EVERYBODY!!! One of our fellow/”fellette” (!) commentators, “SANDY”, makes a good comment about what we can do to help bring about change, in the third paragraph of her 4:06pm posting.

EVERYBODY!!! Another posting I recommend is “JOHN FREELAND’s” first sentence in his 9:07pm post.

EVERYBODY!!! “CAROL’s” post – 16 Feb/4:15pm – read all, it is short, excellent, and to the point.

PAT SMITT!!! – 7:57PM – Let’s hope the White House listens to you.

DAPHNE M.!!! – 18 FEB/10:17am – You’re not confused, Daphne, you’re just sincere, and finding out (accepting?!) those in positions of major consequence, who should be sincere, are not. Don’t accept that. Your comments are the comments of an intelligent person. Fight back. We have weak, insecure people in leadership positions, and we must get others who are strong, sincere, and competent to replace them, and/or scare them so badly that they start doing what they should be doing. Stay strong, and positive. Read all these posts/comments from the top! They will make you feel better that you are not alone, that many people care, and are very smart. It’s just too bad WE are not making the decisions! KEEP CARING AND STAY ACTIVE. That scares the cowards who hope we will go away if they ignore us long enough. The old sayings still hold true, today – QUESTION AUTHORITY, FOLLOW THE MONEY!!! Any REAL leader welcomes that kind of a person/people!!!

My thanks to all who have made comments. You are a very impressive group of people, and proof our country DOES have the people we need to solve the problems we have. BE SINCERE!!!BE AGGRESSIVE!!!BE POSITIVE!!!BE PASSIONATE!!!BE RELENTLESS!!! YOU WILL GET RESULTS!!!

THOSE WHO DARE WIN!!! SEMPER FI!!!

By: Pat Smitt

Pat Smitt — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:42:53 +0000

Response to Sandy; MARCH 12-MARCH 17,2009 I WILL BE IN WASHINGTON, DC attending any and all hearings on the hill and visiting any and all congressional offices I can. I scheduled this trip in January this year and would love to be joined by any and all like minded american patriots. I am traveling from northern california by air. Happy to share my info with any progressive who is interested.

By: ER

ER — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:10:19 +0000

Thanks, Simon; breaking the hegemony of the oligarchy that has parasitized the US citizenry and economy for the LAST 30 YEARS is essential. The difficulty is that most of us are unsure what we can actually do about this. Flooding our representatives with emails, phone calls and letters does not appear to have yielded the expected results, and as the upward redistribution of wealth continues undeflected, the productive class (ie., the actual workers) grows increasingly desperate and outraged. It seems that now that the big “secret,” is out, and all of us are wide awake now, we still feel helpless to prevent the free transfer of our tax dollars (in perpetuity) to the very TARP recipients (Citibank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America!) that even now have litigation pending against them for FRAUD, FALSE ADVERTISING and assorted other charges relating to banking practices designed SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of maximizing overdraft fees chargeable to their customers. I think we need to find a vehicle for change very soon, because after another few million layoffs, and more people starving in our streets, it will be too late to forestall a revolution.

By: http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11722986?nclick_check=1

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11722986?nclick_check=1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:01:12 +0000

Sorry, here is the quote to look for, R. Davis, CEO of US Bancorp said in a speech:

“…”We were told to take it so that we could help Darwin synthesize the weaker banks and acquire those and put them under different leadership,” he said. “We are not even allowed to mention that. … We were supposed to say the TARP money was used for lending.”

By: http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11722986?nclick_check=1

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11722986?nclick_check=1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:48:38 +0000

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11722986?nclick_check=1