By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator
Dallas, TX – Tomorrow is a day we give thanks and, as we officially head into the holiday season, it's an appropriate time to express my gratitude and wishes for our economic future. I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Midday.
I am not sure how Wall Street feels about the man, but I am ever so grateful for Eliot Spitzer, New York State Attorney General. With shield on and sword in his hand, Spitzer has been relentless in the pursuit of securities fraud. The recent mutual fund scandal could easily have been swept under the rug if Spitzer wasn't present on a daily basis, pounding the issue backed by facts. He continues to confront the SEC and their simple slap-on-the-wrist policy for wrongdoers. Even critics of Spitzer who believe his crusade is only a campaign for governor cannot deny the results. On behalf of all small investors, we thank you.
It still perplexes me on how I can do it, but I do give thanks for Alan Greenspan. More than once this year, Greenspan, solidifying his independence, has criticized the administration's fiscal policy - most recently, the unreasonable tariffs on imported steel. But it was his courage to stand up as the economic guru of our generation to say the financial formulas we imagined were in stone are in fact vulnerable, and cannot be applied to our current economic landscape. And yet, as a true guru, we shouldn't expect anything less from him. My wish: that we would understand what he was saying the first time he said it. But then he wouldn't be Alan.
My hope is for Congress to tackle all issues with the same verve they used for the National Do Not Call List. I am very grateful for the list.
Locally, may all cities in the Metroplex respect and work with each other. Arlington is just a block away from Irving is just a block away from Dallas. You get the picture. And may our unemployed be lower than the national average.
Now, thank you for allowing me to challenge your views, while hopefully being informative and entertaining. Have a very happy holiday season. For KERA Marketplace Midday, I'm Maxine Shapiro.
Marketplace Midday Reports air on KERA 90.1 Monday - Friday at 1:04 p.m.
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