Comments on: Paul Mason: Meltdown

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:51:00 +0000

I haven’t heard anything about reform of banking regulation. Admittedly that may be media laziness. What’s happening?

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:12:44 +0000

This week a Banking Guru on TV stated according to her, Banking Bonus payments must re start at once otherwise we will lose many highly qualified people, are those the highly qualified people who are running away now with massive pensions as the greed continues.

By: Howard

Howard — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:43:55 +0000

Read John Seddon’s Systems Thinking in the Public Sector – it highlights how political ideology and good ideas have entrapped public sector improvement in the political battle. Centrally-prescribed targets leading to dumb services.

Choice as ideology being pushed upon services. For example people asking for services sounds like – can i have benefits or please help me get better – are then given choice – you can get better here or choose from these 7 hospitals/doctors etc

It’s important stuff and the key to improving public services

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:59:58 +0000

“neoliberal ideology that underpinned the thinking behind American deregulation”…and labour party policy for the last 10 years

By: Paul Mason

Paul Mason — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:40:58 +0000

Tom, just to clear up the confusion: the 2004 rule change was important. Under Bush, not Clinton, Paulson et al persuaded the SEC to life the leverage ratio from 12/1 to 40/1. But the 1999 (not 1994) repeal of Glass Steagall was even more important. Clinton – indeed Summers, Geithner et al – were involved in this. The two events are getting mixed up in these comments. Thanks for reading the book and engaging with its arguments. Best, Paul

By: Gary Elsby

Gary Elsby — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:08:55 +0000

Does this article relate to the Bears-Steagall act that was imposed on the USA money markets after the great depression? If so, this is the act that Clinton lifted and if memeory serves me right, Lawson followed a similar line by making money freely available.

The biggest obstacle, now proven, to moving out of a dpression is protectionism.

Why the USA went into meltdown during the 1920’s is as fascinating as the struggle to get out of it but it comes down to protecting what you’ve got vs watching it being swallowed up by predators.

Apparently, the predators have the edge!

By: Harry Barnes

Harry Barnes — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:07:08 +0000

The links here are worth pursuing -
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2009/04/nobody_can_hear.html

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:11:56 +0000

The banks are a side line.

The real issue is the state. Politicians, and particularly Labour have run up massive liabilties.

Gilts are a minor part. It’s the pensions and all the other stuff off the books that show fiscal incompetance of a massive level.

Banks are peanuts in comparison

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:14:28 +0000

Hi Liam and Ben,

Yes, should have been 1994. I’ve amended the post. Thanks.

By: Liam

Liam — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:41:29 +0000

Tom, I’m assuming you meant 1994 here…

Sounds like a great read, I’ve been looking for a comprehensive account of recent events, and as a non-economics graduate, have found it hard to find anything suitable.