So notwithstanding the fact that I enjoyed our tumblr-dialogue Thursday night, I did have to make those arguments and leave out that even we think Goldman is the devil... and the SEC picks Friday to prosecute... sheesh.
(This reply is 3 weeks late)
Goldman is the most fearsome shark in the sea, but sharks are not inherently evil... and no one is asking anyone to remove all sharks from the ocean and extinct them, so I don't know why we should kill off all market-makers and investment bankers. I agree entirely with Warren Buffett when it comes to Goldman.
(I might be biased as someone who previously worked for Bear Stearns, Morgan Stanley, AND Lehman Brothers in non-banking roles. But only in the sense that I hated all of those jobs)
I'll stop short of saying that any particular regulatory remedy to the problems in the banking sector are necessary or helpful. Some might help, some might make things worse, or some might not make any difference because they'll just be circumvented, too. I would like to see more time being spent discussing how the self-destructive behavior of the market participants is the real problem that deserves a real solution. But most people can't even figure out ATM fees. (Including investment bankers!) That discussion may never happen. So, good luck and God bless, everyone. It'll just get bumpier here on out.


