Wiseacre
Retired USAF Chief
Curious as to how many of you realize that the definition for who is too big to fail (and therefore eligible to be bailed out) has been expanded. I thought that when Dodd-Frank came out it would be designed to preclude any more bailouts. But no, the federal gov'ts Financial Stability Oversight Council is about to designate certain non-banks as "Systemically Important Financial Institutions" (SIFIs). Insurers, financial holding companies, hedge funds, securities firms, maybe even money market mutual funds and private equity firms could be bailed out with taxpayer money if they are seen as a threat to the financial security of the USA.
Why is that a big deal? Among other reasons, a company backstopped by the federal gov't enjoys less credit risk and a competitive advantage over those who aren't. Do you see the greater possibilities for more crony capitalism? Once again we are favoring the largest corps over the smaller ones, IMHO not the direction we need to be going in.
The above is based on an op-ed by Peter J. Walison in todays WSJ print edition. Far as I know, it's propriety and I can't provide a link.
Why is that a big deal? Among other reasons, a company backstopped by the federal gov't enjoys less credit risk and a competitive advantage over those who aren't. Do you see the greater possibilities for more crony capitalism? Once again we are favoring the largest corps over the smaller ones, IMHO not the direction we need to be going in.
The above is based on an op-ed by Peter J. Walison in todays WSJ print edition. Far as I know, it's propriety and I can't provide a link.