February 9, 2012
I’m writing in support of a strong Volcker Rule. My family and I were affected by the economic collapse of 2008, and we don’t want it to happen again.
As you prepare the final rule, bear in mind the fundamental goal of the rule – to ban big banks from exposing consumers and taxpayers to risky proprietary trades.
Banks that break the rule should face swift, automatic penalties for violations. Violations of the Volcker Rule endanger the stability of our financial system. They should not be treated lightly.
Exemptions should only be allowed if they do not undermine this goal. If an exemption would result in exposing consumers and taxpayers to bank risk, it should be rejected.
Many have described the "Volcker Rule" as insufficient and allowing conflicts of interest to remain and for financial entities to continue to be "too big to fail", a model which is a disaster, We need to go all the way and implement the kind of restrictions between commercial banking and investment banking that existed under Glass–Steagall.
Thank you for considering my comment,
Michael Iltis
Madison, WI