 The Wild Wild World of Wealth |
Yesterday, Goldman Sachs settled fraud charges associated with Abacus CDOs for $550 million. Not surprisingly, the settlement excluded Fabrice P. Tourre, who will no doubt be hung out to dry as the Tourre de Toxic winds to a close.
Personally, I think the government just got pimp-slapped. Here are five reasons why:
The news is out. US prosecutors are investigating several Morgan Stanley CDOs. Like the Abacus inquiry at Goldman Sachs, the issue is what representations Morgan Stanley made to clients. How did the bank market those Weapons of Money Destruction? Here’s what The Wall Street Journal reports:
Among the deals that have been scrutinized are two named after U.S. Presidents James Buchanan and Andrew Jackson, a person familiar with the matter said. Morgan Stanley helped design the deals and bet against them but didn’t market them to clients. Traders called them the “Dead Presidents” deals.
So without further ado, I’d like to play a little song for my friends from Morgan Stanley. I give you Little Walter and Dead Presidents:
However, digging just a little deeper, it is quite remarkable that since 1793, the U.S. has had 44 Presidents (serving a total of 55 terms). The U.S. has also had 44 recessions. Is this coincidence, or, is there a correlation? Adding to this annoying little fact is that that each U.S President has promised to improve the economy since the very first recession of 1797, also known as the Panic of 1797. Moreover, each President got your vote (or those of your ancestors) by campaigning on the promise that their administration, and their economic and political policies, would ensure that “Americans will never have to endure another recession if you just vote for me!”
100% Empty Promises Equal 33% Hardships
© 2010 ACRIMONEY. All rights reserved.
Jimmy Cusack is the tough kid from a blue-collar neighborhood who made good on Wall Street. Well, almost. After a sterling start to his career, things have soured. His hedge fund has collapsed. The bank is foreclosing on his condominium. And his wife is three months pregnant. That’s the good news.
From Publisher's Weekly -
