2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Still can't believe this conversation took place. [View all]pnwmom
(108,955 posts)which is why, according to the liberal (Nobel prize winning) economist Paul Krugman, they're "doing all they can to elect a Republican."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/16/opinion/democrats-republicans-and-wall-street-tycoons.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders had an argument about financial regulation during Tuesdays debate but it wasnt about whether to crack down on banks. Instead, it was about whose plan was tougher. The contrast with Republicans like Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio, who have pledged to reverse even the moderate financial reforms enacted in 2010, couldnt be stronger.
For what its worth, Mrs. Clinton had the better case. Mr. Sanders has been focused on restoring Glass-Steagall, the rule that separated deposit-taking banks from riskier wheeling and dealing. And repealing Glass-Steagall was indeed a mistake. But its not what caused the financial crisis, which arose instead from shadow banks like Lehman Brothers, which dont take deposits but can nonetheless wreak havoc when they fail. Mrs. Clinton has laid out a plan to rein in shadow banks; so far, Mr. Sanders hasnt.
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As I said, this lopsided giving is an indication that Wall Street insiders take Democratic pledges to crack down on bankers excesses seriously. And it also means that a victorious Democrat wouldnt owe much to the financial industry.
If a Democrat does win, does it matter much which one it is? Probably not. Any Democrat is likely to retain the financial reforms of 2010, and seek to stiffen them where possible. But major new reforms will be blocked until and unless Democrats regain control of both houses of Congress, which isnt likely to happen for a long time.
In other words, while there are some differences in financial policy between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Sanders, as a practical matter theyre trivial compared with the yawning gulf with Republicans.