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A Warning to Wall Street; A Plea to Congress « The Washington Independent

Jul 31, 2020
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Appearing on Wall Street today, President Obama accusedsome of the nation’s financial institutions of “misreading” the economy’s nascent recovery, and urged Congress to pass strict new banking regulations to prevent the industry’s “reckless behavior” from spurring another economic collapse.
We will not go back to the days of reckless behavior and unchecked excess that was at the heart of this crisis, where too many were motivated only by the appetite for quick kills and bloated bonuses. Those on Wall Street cannot resume taking risks without regard for consequences, and expect that next time, American taxpayers will be there to break their fall.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, have vowed to pass sweeping reforms of the finance industry later this year, including the creation of a new federal watchdog designed to protect consumers from the more abusive practices of the banks. But those proposals — yet to be unveiled — face a tough road ahead considering the other controversial items left for Democrats to tackle this year, namely health reform and climate change legislation.
Dodd, for his part, shot out a statement this afternoon saying that Obama “got it right.”
Failure to act leaves our economy at risk. We will not allow our efforts to be stalled by well financed special interests intent on keeping the status quo.
Meanwhile, the finance industry is spending upwards of $250,000 per day on lobbying and advertising to kill the Democrats’ reform plans even before they’re even unveiled, according toCommon Cause, an advocate for campaign finance reform.
“Great speeches are no match for the bottomless pockets of big corporations looking to kill reform legislation,” said Common Cause President Bob Edgar. “[I]t seems corporate industries can fight back almost any public desire for change by spending enough money on lobbying and campaign contributions.”
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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