Time for Bankers to Intervene

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/opinion/time-for-bankers-to-intervene.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 8:38 AM
Subject: re: Time for Bankers to Intervene
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

     The U.S. Constitution is careful to restrict the offenses that can constitute "treason". So when "legislative obstructionism is the approach of Republicans who do not want the economy to improve before Election Day", we can know that--although it is economic warfare against our own country--it is not treason. They have sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States, not the interests of one party.   Let's not hang them. But do let's vote them all out of office.

Barry Haskell Levine

Polarized Over Health Care, United on Drama of Ruling

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/us/politics/on-left-and-right-a-frenzy-awaiting-health-care-ruling.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Subject: re: Polarized Over Health Care, United on Drama of Ruling
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   While all of Washington is riveted, the drama over the Supreme Court's healthcare case is playing out in a single household.  Virginia Lamp Thomas--as the head of "Liberty Consulting" stands to make millions if the healthcare mandate is ruled unconstitutional. Her husband sits on our Supreme Court and will rule on this matter.  No one can prove that her monetary interests (they're monetary interests!) will affect his position. But the appearance of a conflict of interest stinks to high heaven.

Barry Haskell Levine

Home Prices in the West Are Rebounding as Inventory Shrinks

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/us/wests-home-prices-rebounding-as-availability-shrinks.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Subject: re: Home Prices in the West Are Rebounding as Inventory Shrinks
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   In a functioning housing market, owners realize gains or losses on value at the time that they sell. That was the way the world worked until the late nineties. Then we had the housing bubble. Owners discovered that they could borrow against the growing paper value of their homes with (eventually) disastrous consequences. Now that game is closed to the many homeowners who find themselves underwater. But it's open season for the banks who now own huge portfolios of foreclosed homes. By keeping those properties off the market they are driving up their paper value. In effect, the banks are creating capital out of their junk holdings by manipulating the prices of homes on the market.

Barry Haskell Levine

what Republicans Think

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/15/opinion/brooks-what-republicans-think.html


Mr. Brooks proposes that American voters should blame Barack Obama for the failure of Germany's Romneyesque austerity program to rescue the economies of Europe. I tremble to consider that our electorate may behave so illogically.

Mr. Dimon on the Hill

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/opinion/jamie-dimon-on-the-hill.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Subject: re: Mr. Dimon on the Hill
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

    Jamie Dimon put in a charming display of contrition, and his sycophants in Congress hastened to assure him of their ongoing love despite his transgressions. This courtly stage-play did nothing to address the people's interest. Moneys that the FDIC insures should have no part in whatever gambles he likes to make with his own money. Glass-Steagel kept our financial system stable throughout the post-war prosperity. It is as important today as it was then.

Barry Haskell Levine

Axelrod Floats Amendment to Stem Campaign Spending / speaking out against 'Super PACs'

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/axelrod-floats-amendment-to-stem-campaign-spending/?ref=todayspaper

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Subject: re: Axelrod Floats Amendment to Stem Campaign Spending / speaking out against 'Super PACs'
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   Win or lose, this is Barack Obama's last campaign; no one has ever won the U.S. presidency after losing the office.  It is therefore significant that David Axelrod proposes to end the pernicious influence of superPACs only if/when Obama has been re-elected.  Such a deathbed conversion would look cynical if it were for the sake of heaven. To do it while soliciting yet more money for the current campaign gives new meaning to "chutzpah".

Barry Haskell Levine

Another Bank Bailout

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/opinion/krugman-another-bank-bailout.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 8:47 AM
Subject: re: Another Bank Bailout
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

  In this country, where fiscal policy is set by the Federal Reserve (i.e. bankers), the banks have been rescued while the economy has been left to founder. In Europe, where fiscal policy is set by the Central Bank (i.e. bankers) the banks are getting rescued while the economies are left to founder. I for one am willing to extrapolate from these data. Sovereign nations need to control their own currencies. If we leave it to the banks, they will serve the banks. That's unfortunate for those of us who aren't bankers.

Barry Haskell Levine

The Bills to Nowhere

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/opinion/the-bills-to-nowhere.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Subject: re: The Bills to Nowhere
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

    Republican national strategists realized years ago that if president Obama were to preside over a recovering economy, he would be unbeatable for reelection.  They therefore cynically undertook to keep the U.S. in depression for their own narrow partisan gain. The rest is all mummery to distract the crowd from their do-nothing record.

Barry Haskell Levine

U.S. Attacks, Online and From the Air, Fuel Secrecy Debate

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/world/americas/drones-and-cyberattacks-renew-debate-over-security.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Subject: re: U.S. Attacks, Online and From the Air, Fuel Secrecy Debate
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   The United States of America was founded on the revolutionary assertion that we, the people are wise enough to govern ourselves well.  That was not obvious to all at the time; nor is it always evident at the present. But if the people are sovereign here, we must know what it is that is being done in our name. To vote for or against leaders without knowing what those leaders have done is no better than throwing dice. And so we rely on our Free Press to apprise us of the issues before us.  That  has always excluded tactical secrets (e.g. troop movements). But it is not compatible with giving our CIA or any other branch of our government free rein to kill without public supervision and review.

Barry Haskell Levine

Invitation to a Dialogue: Fairness and Taxes

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/opinion/invitation-to-a-dialogue-fairness-and-taxes.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Subject: re: Invitation to a Dialogue: Fairness and Taxes
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   In its eighth decade, Social Security needs to be overhauled. In a functioning democracy, that should be a simple matter. In our current system, in which the wealthiest few wield disproportionate power, that may prove impossible.

Barry Haskell Levine