“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.” - Thomas Jefferson

“What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. Our allegiance to American institutions requires the overthrow of this kind of power. In vain they seek to hide behind the flag and the Constitution. In their blindness they forget what the flag and the Constitution stand for. Now, as always, they stand for democracy, not tyranny; for freedom, not subjection; and against a dictatorship by mob rule and the over-privileged alike. “ - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Hey kids, guess what! The Department of Justice announced that they’re not going to seek criminal prosecution for those poor, suffering banks and investment firms after all. What with the market going south and the public about ready to go after them with torches and pitchforks, the Bush Administration thinks those Champions of the Free Market don’t need the hassle.

Personally, I have about 700 billion reasons why each and every investment banker should be put to death, but, then, I’m not exactly Supply-Side Jesus, either.