December 23

“What you need to know to navigate today’s economic debate.”

Body Count From Goldman Actions Crosses Into Criminal Territory (Naked Capitalism)
Fed and the Treasury aided and abetted Goldman Sachs in committing financial and ethical crimes, says Thomas Adams.

Financial reform is flawed, says CBOE chief (FT)
Bill Brodsky of the Chicago Board Options Exchange said Capitol Hill debate has focused on wrong issues.

Obama Tries to Rally Small Lenders (NYT)
Prez met with smaller community banks on Tuesday to urge lending to small businesses, vowed to cut regulatory red tape.

Why Aren’t Banks Lending? They’re Being Rational (The Big Picture)
Under-capitalized banks are actually encouraged not to lend by Fed and Treasury.

Hurry Up and Wait (NYT)
The Supreme Court has cheated the public of a full airing of complex questions surrounding campaign finance.

Nice Home. Where’s the Rest of It? (NYT)
Practice of stripping and selling items from homes scheduled for foreclosure appears to be worse in boom-and-bust regions.