What Will Regulation Look Like After Bush?

What does the future hold for regulating Wall Street?

Regardless of who wins today's election, both Barack Obama and John McCain have staked out different positions on issues involving economic regulation -- and each is very different than the outgoing president.

The Economists' Voice looks at what we might expect in the post-Bush era:

While  the  presidential  candidates  have  been  diverted  by  critical  issues  ranging  from  Barack  Obama's  taste  in  lettuce  to  John  McCain's condo,  it's  hard  to  deny  that,  once  elected,  serious  questions  involving  economic  regulation--everything  from  housing  finance  to  alternative  energy  mandates--will  be  front  and  center.  And  here,  at  least,  the  divisions  are  clear:  Obama  would  use  a  heavy  hand  to  push  the  economy  back on  track,  while  McCain  would  do  his  best  to  put  the  free  back in  free  markets.

Or maybe  not.

Read the full story here

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::Read Up On Cabinet Predictions For Either an Obama Administration Or A McCain Administration

Comments

[Wanod]

What's going on in "W" mind? Nothing as always...

[nirek]

I hope and pray that President Obama will NOT pardon bush or any of the other crooks !

[BluePrideSMW]

Most industrialized countries have executive salaries limited to X multiple of the lowest paid worker in the company... This appeals to me. I've seen UNGodly salaries paid to company officers for very little work performed. Many times it's for former relationships or connections. It's who you know. I have great confidence in President-Elect Obama. He feels like Bobby Kennedy, to me.

The Obamas are Moving On UP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3uGsMxsoQ

[Sundialsvc4]

Why don't we BEGIN by rounding up those regulators and start impeaching them?

Hey, if I don't live in America and I can plainly see that the government I am indirectly dealing with is stuffed with crooks who are willfully defrauding me with their own currency . . .

Thinking way-y-y back to an old M&M's commercial, this is NOT a case of, "the dirty dealer meant no harm!"

Any sensible businessman will not put up with that. Why on earth should we?

"Regulating" is one thing. "Conspiracy to facilitate a deliberate swindle" is entirely a different thing.

[ranger5]

I can't help but wonder what is going on in Bush's mind. Assuming he makes some attempt to stay informed, he must be aware of how unpopular he is, and how many already regard his presidency as not just a failure, but a catastrophe. Regardless of how talented and effective the new president is, regardless of the optimism and good-will generated by a more progressive and thoughtful administration, it will take years, perhaps decades, to undo the profound damage done to America and the world by Bush and his minions. Maybe W. actually believes that he will be like Truman, whose approval numbers were extremely low as he left office, but who has since become an icon of independent thought and spirit. But Truman did not leave a nation widely mired in the worst economic crisis since the Depression, a nation widely despised by some friends as well as enemies, a nation stuck in 2 wars, one of which was entirely a war of choice. I suspect W sleeps well at night. He's not that intelligent or thoughtful, and he has little capacity to see outside of his box. Hardly matters. His place in history is assured.

[CologneCitizen]

Bush will be remembered as the ultimate King Midas in reverse. Absolutely everything he touched turned to $hit.

[Sundialsvc4]

"The Inverse Rumpelstiltskin Effect = spinning gold into straw."

Gee, I feel like a Plaintiff.

[totalliberal]

Regulations? You mean laws don't you. Laws that prevent the thoughtlessly greedy from printing their own money with our presses. Maybe investors will start investing in real companies that provide real services, real goods and not made-up money clouds.

[ArturoYee]

We currently have laws on margins and purchasing stocks.
Why don't we have similar laws for personal mortgages?
Or did Barney Frank killed that idea?

[totalliberal]

Why didn't the invisible magic of the unfettered free-markets control themselves? Oh ya, of course I forgot, it's all the fault of those darn poor people.
Most of those sub-prime mortgages were sold by lies, then bundled and re-sold as more lies.

[stargazer13]

We Have The Power To Reverse Them our New Leader has power from her People

[truthyguy]

Bush nearly destroyed this country and he did destroy any regulatory checks that were in place. But the good thing is that after January 20th, those regulations protecting the American people will be on the books again - and more importantly, people will be put in place at the enforcement level who will work for the people and not some lobbyist's client.

[twitch1956]

Laura... Please please break your husband's fingers and remove the pen from his hand. Aren't you ashamed of the man who fathered your two daughters.­... the world he will leave to his children and grandchild­ren.... his own progeny will curse his name.

[darthdarcy]

Bush is busy signing as many presidential directives as possible prior to November 20th many of them undoing even more regulation and oversight even in the face of the crisis and ruin that has already created..!

[ArturoYee]

So how will Barney Frank vote this time?

[JessWonderin]

oh gosh, the L:AST troll ??????

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Maybe there will BE some.