Tag Archives: Republican Senators

By Simon Johnson

There are three kinds of Republicans in the Senate today.  First, there are those willing to follow the lead of Senator Mitch McConnell – whose approach to financial sector reform apparently amounts to little more than, “Don’t worry, be happy”.  If Senator McConnell has a reform plan he would like to lay out for review, now would be a good time to put some credible details on the table. 

Based on what we have seen so far, Senator McConnell proposes to do nothing regarding the systemic risks posed by today’s megabanks and just “let ‘em fail” when necessary.  This is a dangerous and irresponsible position, and it should be opposed tooth-and-nail by anyone who actually cares whether or not we run ourselves into a Second Great Depression.

The second group has remained silent so far, waiting to see which way popular opinion and their leadership will go.  Most likely, almost all will cast their lot in with Senator McConnell. 

And if Senator McConnell brings 40 Senators with him, they will defeat the Dodd bill – and then smash themselves into the rocks of November 2010 as the “too big to fail” party.  Perhaps we should welcome that.

But there is also a third group, not yet numerous, that is more inclined to be sensible or – as Senator Corker aptly put it – to “act like adults.” Continue reading →