The hypocrisy. Plus a bit between the lines about the changing role of the banking sector in the economy over the last 40-50 years.
I’m talking more about the UK that i know more about than other countries, i think the USA has some similarities - but all countries do have important differences.
There used to be a lot more regulation - both intra and inter nationally - that limited how much they could do in terms of international and mortgage investment. Since deregulation banks have typically shifted into investing more into the housing market and to some degree overseas (hard to observe the net position though, especially with multinational corps. and banks). Essentially I’d argue this “crowded out” domestic capital intensive industrial sectors. And generally reduced the savings multiplier in favour of more bubbly type investments - or household sector.
The conequence was that the “job” of the banking sector used to be to fund domestic (business) investment and growth - and to try not to debauch the currency too badly - at least in the post war period. They had to manage the balance between bubbles , stable investments and their non-performing loan rate, and maintain reserve requirements and central bank deposits as a buffer against bank runs .
But since 70s/deregulation they just invest more wherever they like - with less constraints in place to protect the whole system. They seem to be able to get bail outs without major consequences for management when they fuck up. (This was probaably the case in the 50s and 60s, but the other rules prevented them from fucking up too disastrously. Even back before the 30s when there was much less specific regulation there was still the “gold standard” to keep them in check to some degree.
They’re covering for systemic political issues by blaming it on the individual, essentially covering for poverty wages and other problems related to income distribution. I don’t know why they do this, either. But that’s why this rubs many people the wrong way.
People don’t get into trouble because of avocado toast but depressed wages, soaring house prices, medical costs, etcetera. What the hell are people supposed to do if the minimum spending to survive is already too much for their meager income?
What the hell are people supposed to do if the minimum spending to survive is already too much for their meager income?
If one can’t cut their spending then they need to increase their income. Making coffee at home instead of getting starbucks, cooking instead of eating out and not taking a cab to travel short distances is all good financial advice.
They could ask for a competent banking sector that works in the interests of the whole economy too.
Unthinkable.
just increase your income, dummy! how have we never thought of that‽
we can also solve mass shootings in the US. if one can’t survive shootings, they need to stop getting shot.
