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Comments

• [1] jj June 23, 2008 - 09:22AM

  Big 4 are literally built up around legally expatriating U.S. wealth. Is this supposed to be a patriotic issue or something?

  Because giving your tax dollars to the U.S. Treasury -- instead of selecting a legal or non-illegal alternative that enables you to hold onto the money instead -- kind of seems logical, doesn't it?

  And let's remember that a large percentage of capital generated in the US (equities, real estate, manufacturing, etc.) is actually owned and managed by non-Americans in the first place. The first requirement of a foreign investor is the ability to transfer wealth abroad. Otherwise known as the Exit Strategy.

  
  
• [2] markbnj from www.markbnj/blogspot.com or sos-newdeal.blogspot.com June 23, 2008 - 10:16AM

  Bob.. Go0d Job..

  But don't forget that the ENTIRE oil speculation, is ALSO related to FINANCIAL manipulations of the BANKS, caused by the repeal

  of the stengal-glass act of the depression which allowed banks to own other companies, especially insurance companies and brokerages.

  Now...

  The NEXT banking crisis will hit within

  six-nine months, and

  will be when the banks start getting hit on the same type of investments (structured investment vehichles) that

  will hit their NEXT product that they sold billoons of $$$ to other locations, and claimed they too were protected...

  THAT is the Consumer CREDIT card market...

  Good luck, and let me know how it works

  
  
• [3] michael winslow from INWOOD June 23, 2008 - 10:17AM

  These two guys from Bear Sterns should get the death penalty if found guilty and I'm against the death penalty.

  
  
• [4] Katie from Forest Hills June 23, 2008 - 10:19AM

  Lay offs at Citigroup,

  yet another fine example of 30 years of globalization, importing everything and not manufacturing anything on our shores in the name of the Corporations which are people that have the right to free speech and to deceive the consumers!

  Let's elect Obama already. How many days till January 20, 2009 and he can start his new term?

  
  
• [5] Aaron from East Village June 25, 2008 - 12:49AM

  Although I'm a huge fan of the show, it pains me to listen to many of your discussions on financial issues like this.

  Instead of the intelligent focus on the facts that characterizes typical segments, you seem comfortable basing economic and financial discussions on populist nonsense. For instance, you've spoken repeatedly about the possibility that speculators are driving up prices of food and energy without any real evidence. Moreover, instead of discussing this topic with experts such as academic economists, you seem content to speak with journalists.

  In this case, your guest warned that in the wake of the Midwest flooding, "short sellers" would somehow conspire to drive up the price of corn and wheat. How this would work is beyond me, as selling something serves to lower the price, not raise it. In fact, this quote seems to show the fallacy in much of the criticism of speculation. Since speculators are both buyers and (increasingly) sellers, they are unlikely to be the reason for a commodities bubble.

  But my real plea, after listening to a segment like this, is for you to treat financial and economic issues with the same dispassion and rigor you bring to other topics. Why not invite a guest who has the knowledge and credentials to address an issue such as this? And why not ask the tough questions (which you're very good at) to those accusing the "evil speculators" for all our problems?

  Sorry for the rant, and please keep up the great show in all other regards.