Read this piece by Jessie Eisinger of ProPublica. Eisinger begins by noting that there's a lot of discussion about the revolving door between industry and agency appointees. He refers to one instance that's gotten a lot of press: Mary Jo White's appointment to head the SEC. Aftter serving "as a tough United States attorney," Eisigner says, "Ms. White spent the last decade serving so many large banks and investment houses that by the time she finishes recusing herself from regulatory matters, she may be down to overseeing First Wauwatosa Securities." But Eisinger then turns to revolving doors that often go unmentioned:
Ms. White maintains she can run the S.E.C. without fear or favor. But the focus should be limited to whether she can be effective. For lobbyists, the real targets are regulators and staff members for lawmakers. Ms. White, at least, will have to sit for Congressional testimony, answer occasional questions from the media and fill out disclosure forms. Staff members, however, work in untroubled anonymity for the most part. So, while everyone knows there’s a revolving door — so naïve to even bring it up! — few realize just how fluidly it spins. (emphasis added)
Eisenger then goes on to describe some interesting examples. Worth reading.
The revolving doors that exist between the financial sector and the regulators who are supposed to police them keep spinning faster and faster.
Posted by: double glazing | Thursday, May 09, 2013 at 04:58 AM