The playing field is not level when it comes to the game of politics and finance. The rules are skewed in favor of those in positions of power and influence, such as policymakers in Washington and investment banks on Wall Street. These two groups are closely connected and often act in concert to further their own interests, rather than those of the general public. The average person does not have the same access to information and resources as these powerful players, which puts them at a significant disadvantage.
For example, consider the case of trading stocks. The average person is not privy to the same information as the CEO of Goldman Sachs and may not be aware of upcoming changes in policy or regulations that could impact their investments. Similarly, when it comes to commodities trading, the average person may not be informed of margin changes in advance, while those with insider knowledge can use this information to their advantage.
Furthermore, those who are able to act on non-public information are not always held accountable for their actions. In some cases, such as with members of Congress, it is even legal to profit off of this information. This creates a system where the wealthy and well-connected are able to get ahead at the expense of everyone else. It is time for a level playing field where all individuals have equal access to information and are held to the same standards of accountability.
The free market, as we know it, no longer exists. The government's intervention in the economy through initiatives such as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) under former President Bush, has fundamentally altered the way in which the market operates. In a true free market, those who make poor financial decisions are supposed to fail and bear the consequences of their actions. However, the government's bailout of failing corporations has resulted in the public bearing the burden of these bad investments through the ownership of depreciating assets and the addition of their cost to the national debt. This goes against the principles of a capitalist society and was explicitly warned against by the founders of the United States.
The intervention of the government in the economy has also led to the creation of a corporate state controlled by the government and investment banks, otherwise known as the heads of industry and government. The events of September 11, 2001 presented an opportunity for these groups to seize control and fundamentally change the rules of the game. The playing field has been altered and the odds are now heavily stacked in favor of those with insider knowledge and connections. It is crucial that steps are taken to level the playing field and restore the principles of a fair and free market.
Half of all market activity in the equity markets today is High Frequency Trading (HFT), which adds significant liquidity to the markets. However, well-funded players can take advantage of HFT by colluding to manipulate the price of equities. It is difficult for market oversight to detect this collusion due to the complexity of HFT, which is largely run by computer programs, and the brief duration of HFT trades. Market manipulation, often carried out by world central banks, is prevalent in various markets, including the price of gold, currency exchange rates, and interest rates. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), which represents the world's central banks, is self-governed and operates outside of any jurisdiction, allowing it to manipulate markets as it sees fit. Currency values are also heavily manipulated, with China holding the largest reserves of foreign currency in the world in order to manipulate exchange rates and keep the value of the dollar high in relation to the Yuan. The Federal Reserve is also accused of market manipulation. The manipulation of markets is a last ditch effort by the heads of business and government to delay the inevitable bursting of the bond and dollar bubbles, which will result in the largest wealth transfer in history and the end of the greatest Ponzi scheme the world has ever seen. This transfer of wealth has been occurring for some time, with the crash of 2008 taking 38% of the wealth of the American public and the next crash set to make 2008 seem like a minor event.
Control of the information disseminated through mass media is a crucial tool for keeping the public distracted and uninformed. History has shown that people can be easily misled by the media, as was the case in Nazi Germany during World War II, where the media convinced the public that the country was winning the war. The current state of the economy in the United States is not just a normal economic downturn, but rather a result of fundamental changes that have occurred and will continue to occur for decades, if not permanently. The Federal Reserve has been manipulating the markets through various measures, such as quantitative easing and operation twist, in an effort to give the illusion of an economic recovery. However, the fundamental issues that caused the real estate and stock markets to fall still exist and will continue to drag these markets down. The economy of the United States, which is largely driven by consumer spending, has been greatly impacted by the loss of jobs and homes, as well as the increasing debt burden on individuals and the government. It is important to recognize the manipulation and distractions present in the media and to understand the true state of the economy in order to make informed decisions.
It is clear that former executives from Goldman Sachs have held and continue to hold influential positions in the US government. This raises questions about the relationship between Wall Street and the government and the potential for conflicts of interest. The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which provided a $700 billion bailout to financial institutions, particularly raises concerns as it was spearheaded by former Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson. The fact that other Goldman Sachs executives have also been involved in government decision-making further fuels suspicions of favoritism towards the investment bank. It is important to examine the actions and motivations of these individuals in order to understand the true nature of the relationship between Wall Street and the government. The potential for undue influence and the potential consequences for the general public must be thoroughly examined in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the financial sector.