Crony Capitalism’s Power Couple

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Dec 21, 2012 Where are Phil and Wendy Gramm hiding now that UBS, like Enron before it, has been nailed by the G-men? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Update: 25 People at the Heart of the Meltdown

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 7, 2012 At the height of the financial crisis, The Guardian identified 25 bankers, economists, politicians and financial officials who helped bring about the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. What are they up to now? Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

For He’s a Jolly Good Scoundrel

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Apr 19, 2012 The men most responsible for the collapse of the American dream are heaped with honors at the highest levels of society. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Matt Taibbi Tells Michael Bloomberg to Sex Himself

Staff / Truthdig Nov 4, 2011 The Rolling Stone scribe has christened Tuesday's mayor-on-mayor action, during which former New York boss Ed Koch and current Mayor Michael Bloomberg mixed it up over the financial crisis and Occupy Wall Street, Bloomberg's "Marie Antoinette moment." (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

If a Republican Were President

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Oct 13, 2011 If a Republican were president, there would be millions of properly coiffed middle-class Democrats and independents at those Occupy Wall Street marches, and no questions asked as to what they really want. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

They Go or Obama Goes

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Aug 25, 2010 Barack Obama and the Democrats he led to a stunning victory two years ago are going down hard in the face of an economic crisis that he did nothing to create but which he has failed to solve. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

UBS Money Laundering: What Did Phil Gramm Know?

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Aug 19, 2009 In recent days yet another wealthy private customer of the Swiss-based banking conglomerate UBS admitted to criminal fraud in a growing parade of perp walks that could extend into the thousands. It is a case that threatens to ensnare former Sen. Phil Gramm, the Texas Republican who is vice chairman of UBS’ investment banking business.Was Phil Gramm truly unaware of the widespread efforts at UBS to defraud the U.S. Treasury? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Endgame for Gramm?

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Apr 15, 2009 One wonders if Phil Gramm has been made just a tad nervous by the news on Tuesday that one of UBS' super-wealthy private clients has pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Obama’s Toxic Advisers

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Mar 25, 2009 Bernie Sanders, the senator from Vermont who is independent in spirit as well as party label, has placed a hold on President Obama’s nomination of Gary Gensler to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Sounds like a minor issue to get worked up about, but I see this appointment as further evidence that the president has entrusted his economic policy to the wrong people. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Change We Can Bank On

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Nov 19, 2008 This is not change we can believe in. Not if Robert Rubin or his protégé, Lawrence Summers, get to call the shots on the economy in President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming administration. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Battle for Obama’s Economic Soul

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Oct 22, 2008 Instead of running with the "European socialist" crowd, as John McCain has claimed, Barack Obama has turned to the same American “free market” elite that views government as merely a corporate subsidiary. Even within that group, however, there are serious splits, and the more enlightened side seems to be winning. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

A Plague Upon the White House

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Oct 8, 2008 I am not a conventionally religious man, or even a very superstitious one, but I do wish George Bush would stop asking God to bless America. Every time he does, we seem to be visited with another plague, suggesting divine wrath over our president's evil ways. How else to explain the persistent calamity that has marked this administration? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )