Unmasking the most influential billionaire in U.S. politics: Peter G. Peterson

[Newsjock]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Who's the most influential billionaire business figure in national politics?

If you answered one of the Koch brothers (Charles or David) or George Soros, you're wearing your partisan blinders. The former are known for their devotion to conservative causes, the latter to liberal. In either case, you're wrong.

The most influential billionaire in America is Peter G. Peterson. The son of Greek immigrants, Peterson, 86, served as Commerce secretary under President Nixon, then became chairman and chief executive of Lehman Bros. Subsequently, he made his big money as co-founder of the Wall Street private equity firm Blackstone Group.

... Peterson's views are subtly infiltrating the Washington debate — which is why Americans should start getting worried about him. He isn't content merely to express concern about the federal deficit. His particular targets are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which he calls "entitlement" programs and which he wants to cut back in a manner that would strike deeply at the middle class.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20121003,0,376906.column

[Downwinder]

1. I notice that it is always about reforming Social Security and

Medicare, never anything about reforming Wall Street.

[SunSeeker]

2. Wall Street and this scumbag want their hands on that SS and Medicare/Medicaid money.

Apparently, stealing 40% of our net worth with their mortgage shell game was not enough for them.

[benld74]

3. He really doesnt look all that healthy,,,

[LiberalAndProud]

4. Bookmarking.

[warrior1]

5. Dear Dog

they're like cockroaches.

[bongbong]

6. 86 years old?

He needs more billions because he thinks he's gonna live forever.