Then and Now - The Great Depression, Act II

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it"

Meaning: We didn't learn our lesson yet so that lesson will now be repeated.

"If expansion of the brokers loan account gets to the place where it is dangerous and borders on unwarranted speculation, the American banking fraternity itself would correct the situation." Former Governor Roy A. Young of the federal reserve system, quoted in 1928. He said he could recommend no legislation to that end.

Meaning: What me worry? The banks don't need to be regulated! They will self-regulate and everything will be hunky-dory!

Event: 1929 Stock market crash, the Great Depression, Misery, Poverty and a distinct absence of Hunky Doriness.

Event: Glass-Steagall Act Of 1933 - set up a regulatory firewall between commercial and investment bank activities, both of which were curbed and controlled. See Source

Meaning: By 1933, people were not so happy with the results of banks regulating themselves so they decided to help out - (Hunger tends to make folks grumpy)

... Hunky Doriness ...

Event: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act 1999 - to the delight of many in the banking industry (not everyone, however, was happy), in November of 1999 Congress repealed the Glass-Steagall Act with the establishment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which eliminated the Glass-Steagall Act restrictions against affiliations between commercial and investment banks. Furthermore, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act allows banking institutions to provide a broader range of services, including underwriting and other dealing activities.


Meaning: Representative Jim Leach (R-Iowa) and Senator Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) owe us some money.

I would also like to see money paid back from the following people:

1. Daniel Mudd - Fannie Mae, the biggest U.S. mortgage finance company, said that it paid its chief executive, Daniel Mudd, salary, bonuses and stock valued at $14.25 million in 2006, an increase of 25 percent.
2. Richard F. Syron - 5-Year Compensation Total $29.06 mil - Richard F Syron has been CEO of Freddie Mac ( FRE) for 4 years. Mr. Syron has been with the company for 4 years. The 64 year old executive ranks 34 within Diversified Financials
   
3. Kerry Killinger - Washington Mutual lost $3.3 billion in the second quarter, on top of more than $1 billion of losses in the first quarter, as it scrambled to raise reserves for loan losses. Killinger received no 2007 bonus amid huge losses and a 70% stock price drop. That cut his pay to a mere $4.9 million. His board decided in March to exclude the financial damage from WaMu's subprime lending from the operating profit figure used to calculate his bonus. Directors backed off in April after shareholders forced former finance committee head Mary Pugh to resign.
   
4. TBD
   

If you care that we taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill for this bailout, then join me in getting our money back from the people who stole it. And yes I mean stole it. Since when does one deserve bonus pay for driving a company into the ground? I want that money back - These people had no business taking on a job that they were so obviously not qualified for. I want consequences!!!

RH

PS Consider this a lesson in Home Economics. - My list will continue to grow and if you know of somebody who should be on this list, by all means nominate him/her!