February 13, 2012
I'm writing in support of a strong "Volcker Rule" as prelimiary measure towards the restoration of Glass-Steagall or its intent. "Privatization of profits and socialization of losses" is not what I was taught in the pursuit of my MBA in Finance. Day-trading should not be a profit center for commercial banks. This and other trading practices in commodities is just an extraction based activity that burdens the majority for the benefit of a few. Current practices harm the stability of a sound retirement structure for the average citizen who does not have the time, resources, or knowledge to profit in a skewed, manipulated environment.
I need you to write a final rule that accomplishes the fundamental goals of the law: separating risky proprietary trading from the traditional business functions of banking institutions, banning proprietary trading at "too big to fail" banks, reducing the risk that financial market gambles present to the safety of our whole financial system, and stopping conflicts of interest like those that saw Wall Street firms selling their customers deals they had designed to fail.
It is important to not let the rule be undermined by exemptions or exceptions. The Dodd Frank Act instructs you to make sure that the activities big banks are permitted to engage in do not create the risk of another financial crisis. Accomplishing this requires changes to current business practices on Wall Street. I urge you not to be swayed by financial industry interest in protecting a status quo that has benefited them and put the rest of us at risk.
It is also important that banks that break the rules should face real penalties for violations. Violations of the "Volcker Rule" will endanger the stability of our financial system. They should not be treated lightly.
Thank you for considering my views.