Wall Street Just Doesn't Get It, Exhibit # 3,412

[chris_gerrib]

The more I think about this letter, which I found via Simberg's Flying Circus, the more pissed-off I get. So in the interests of (my) sleep, and because I won't be at a computer tomorrow, I'll discuss the letter now.

For those not clicking through, the letter purports to be written by a Wall Street trader. The gist of it is "Just like gambling, it's not a problem until you lose. I've never heard of anyone going to Gamblers Anonymous because they won too much in Vegas" and "What's going to happen when we can't find jobs on the Street anymore? Guess what: We're going to take yours."

Well, first place, you did lose! Not only that, you gambled away your plane ticket and woke me up at 2 AM to wire you money so you could get home. (Remember the bailouts of September 2008?) I may be old-fashioned, but literally losing your shirt at the craps table certainly seems like a good reason to, maybe, consider Gamblers Anonymous.

Second place, look at where the letter is posted. If we'd followed the advice of the National Review or Rand Simberg, there wouldn't have been a bailout. Right now, instead of threatening to get a real job, you'd be actually getting that job - because your company would be bankrupt and busily auctioning off the office furniture.

There's a chance that this is not the writings of real Wall Street Wizard (tm). I hope not - because if it is legit, they really don't get it on Wall Street.

Comments

[jetfx.livejournal.com]

The way the letter is written is like every fake chain letter about a little girl with a strange disease I have ever received. It strikes me as a fake. Besides, the threat of former investment bankers coming to take over middle class America's jobs is ridiculous, since there really aren't that many bankers.