February 27, 2008

The bank regulatory system risks turning itself into a Polish cavalry

Sir it is when Martin Wolf expresses concern over how the financial system works that he really makes it clear “Why Washington’s rescue cannot end the crisis story” February 27.

This is no ordinary crisis that requires an ordinary cavalry led by a John Wayne to rescue some poor pioneers from being scalped by the Indians. No, this is a much more serious affair that starts with having to question some of Wayne’s adjutants, the credit rating agencies, about their role in seducing capital inflows from foreigners to a non-existent El Dorado, by telling stories about great ratings around the world’s market-fires.

And so, to really end this crisis we need to revise the overall fundaments of the current regulatory system because if not, next time, our valiant John Wayne could end up commandeering something like the last charge of the polish cavalry against enemies much more dangerous than some yelling Sioux.