Bank Pigs: Har! Har! Har! Santa: Ho ho ho. Sign: Help our country recover. Little Pigs: We should give something. Show a little gratitude to the payer. Year, but on the other hand, screw 'em.
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.
Thomas Jefferson, (Attributed)
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
What’s true is true. Looking at my neighborhood, I believe Capt. Jay has a good grasp on what is true: Banks are no longer benevolent stewards of our financial accounts –if, indeed, they ever were.
Banks have become the Porcine Pirates of Prosperity. What we need are more non-profit mortgage companies, and credit unions that aren’t trying to emulate banks. Then someone ought to go into the non-profit business-loan business.
The Federal Reserve System is not “owned” by anyone and is not a private, profit-making institution. Instead, it is an independent entity within the government, having both public purposes and private aspects.
As the nation’s central bank, the Federal Reserve derives its authority from the U.S. Congress. It is considered an independent central bank because its decisions do not have to be ratified by the President or anyone else in the executive or legislative branch of government, it does not receive funding appropriated by Congress, and the terms of the members of the Board of Governors span multiple presidential and congressional terms. However, the Federal Reserve is subject to oversight by Congress, which periodically reviews its activities and can alter its responsibilities by statute. Also, the Federal Reserve must work within the framework of the overall objectives of economic and financial policy established by the government. Therefore, the Federal Reserve can be more accurately described as “independent within the government.”
The twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which were established by Congress as the operating arms of the nation’s central banking system, are organized much like private corporations–possibly leading to some confusion about “ownership.” For example, the Reserve Banks issue shares of stock to member banks. However, owning Reserve Bank stock is quite different from owning stock in a private company. The Reserve Banks are not operated for profit, and ownership of a certain amount of stock is, by law, a condition of membership in the System. The stock may not be sold, traded, or pledged as security for a loan; dividends are, by law, 6 percent per year.
99, as you note, the “reserve” is a strange duck indeed, but the basic element is that it IS run by “the member banks”, with “oversight”. It just seems the oversight is like “Justice” with her blindfold, so she can’t see the folks substituting the gold on her scales with lead.
It’s interesting that this is one thing liberals and conservatives agree on to some point. I guess the disagreement is over which party is more completely in the pockets of big finance, big pharma, big healthcare, etc. Conservatives seem to believe that the whole thing started with the election of Obama while liberals see it as starting with Reagan and that only now is there some chance to reverse it. I wish there were some way we could get past that part of it and just start seeing that the corporate culture that is running (ruining) this country is bad and needs to be evicted. Which ever politicians back that, I’m for them, whatever party. For now, to me, it seems that Republicans are more steadfast in protecting corporate coffers but there are plenty of dems with bulging pockets that won’t represent the people as well.
“We the People” could easily take back our country, but as a whole, we need to smarten up and stop falling for the partisan BS the two major parties spew to get votes. At least 50% of the voters are sheep swayed by flimsy arguments, fear mongering, and outright lies. As I’ve said several times before, we are at the beginnings of the new Fall of the Roman Empire and we only ourselves to blame.
Jase99, Notice in the last paragraph from the FED’s information, that the private member banks own stock in the FED, which produces a guaranteed 6% annual dividend.
While the stock may not be “sold, traded or used as security,” doesn’t it seem a bit disingenuous to insist that this stock does not represent ownership?
And, while the FED’s regional banks are not “operated for profit,” what does that mean? They do earn income, they pay above average wages, they cream off the very top a guaranteed dividend of 6% to member banks. (AND, the member banks can put half the required membership amount and give the FED an IOU for the rest, meaning they get a guaranteed effective return of 12% on the actual money tied up in shares).
The private banks who ‘buy’ shares of the FED system for membership, also are granted the right to create new money out of thin air and then charge interest on it.
The member banks also effectively control all of the leadership positions in the Federal Reserve System.
Egads, everyone commenting here, from Left to Right, agrees with the sentiments expressed by Mr Oliphant in this cartoon. And yet, come the next election, I suspect that nearly all will vote to send the same lobbyist marionettes back to the US Congress and to the state and local legislatures. Why ?…
fritzoid Premium Member over 14 years ago
“Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”
comYics over 14 years ago
I didnt realize their view of The Three Little Piggys was taking your money to protect themselves, then feeding you to the wolves.
charliekane over 14 years ago
All the little piggies up against the wall…
All the little piggies ‘gainst the wall, ‘gainst the wall…
Bless the Children of the World- Randy Newman
Lt_Lanier over 14 years ago
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs. Thomas Jefferson, (Attributed) 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
Dtroutma over 14 years ago
They all live in brick houses, and only loan money for “folks” to build houses, and investments, of straw.
cartwrights over 14 years ago
Cpt. Jay, I don’t often agree with you, but this time I agree completely.
believecommonsense over 14 years ago
I love the last little pig in corner: “Yeah, but on the other hand, screw ‘em.” Dialogue straight from Wall St.
kat827618 over 14 years ago
What’s true is true. Looking at my neighborhood, I believe Capt. Jay has a good grasp on what is true: Banks are no longer benevolent stewards of our financial accounts –if, indeed, they ever were.
Banks have become the Porcine Pirates of Prosperity. What we need are more non-profit mortgage companies, and credit unions that aren’t trying to emulate banks. Then someone ought to go into the non-profit business-loan business.
believecommonsense over 14 years ago
^
Jason Allen over 14 years ago
Strype, I googled as you suggested. One of the top hits is from the FRB website.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/faq/faqfrs.htm#5
Who owns the Federal Reserve?
The Federal Reserve System is not “owned” by anyone and is not a private, profit-making institution. Instead, it is an independent entity within the government, having both public purposes and private aspects.
As the nation’s central bank, the Federal Reserve derives its authority from the U.S. Congress. It is considered an independent central bank because its decisions do not have to be ratified by the President or anyone else in the executive or legislative branch of government, it does not receive funding appropriated by Congress, and the terms of the members of the Board of Governors span multiple presidential and congressional terms. However, the Federal Reserve is subject to oversight by Congress, which periodically reviews its activities and can alter its responsibilities by statute. Also, the Federal Reserve must work within the framework of the overall objectives of economic and financial policy established by the government. Therefore, the Federal Reserve can be more accurately described as “independent within the government.”
The twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which were established by Congress as the operating arms of the nation’s central banking system, are organized much like private corporations–possibly leading to some confusion about “ownership.” For example, the Reserve Banks issue shares of stock to member banks. However, owning Reserve Bank stock is quite different from owning stock in a private company. The Reserve Banks are not operated for profit, and ownership of a certain amount of stock is, by law, a condition of membership in the System. The stock may not be sold, traded, or pledged as security for a loan; dividends are, by law, 6 percent per year.
Dtroutma over 14 years ago
99, as you note, the “reserve” is a strange duck indeed, but the basic element is that it IS run by “the member banks”, with “oversight”. It just seems the oversight is like “Justice” with her blindfold, so she can’t see the folks substituting the gold on her scales with lead.
Lt_Lanier over 14 years ago
Yeah, and I want no truck with the healthcare bill now since the public option died. They can keep it!
tcolkett over 14 years ago
It’s interesting that this is one thing liberals and conservatives agree on to some point. I guess the disagreement is over which party is more completely in the pockets of big finance, big pharma, big healthcare, etc. Conservatives seem to believe that the whole thing started with the election of Obama while liberals see it as starting with Reagan and that only now is there some chance to reverse it. I wish there were some way we could get past that part of it and just start seeing that the corporate culture that is running (ruining) this country is bad and needs to be evicted. Which ever politicians back that, I’m for them, whatever party. For now, to me, it seems that Republicans are more steadfast in protecting corporate coffers but there are plenty of dems with bulging pockets that won’t represent the people as well.
Jason Allen over 14 years ago
“We the People” could easily take back our country, but as a whole, we need to smarten up and stop falling for the partisan BS the two major parties spew to get votes. At least 50% of the voters are sheep swayed by flimsy arguments, fear mongering, and outright lies. As I’ve said several times before, we are at the beginnings of the new Fall of the Roman Empire and we only ourselves to blame.
Ink-adink-adoo over 14 years ago
Slim Santa. Brilliant.
deadheadzan over 14 years ago
Cartoon brilliantly sums up the economic problem—Greed.
vhammon over 14 years ago
Jase99, Notice in the last paragraph from the FED’s information, that the private member banks own stock in the FED, which produces a guaranteed 6% annual dividend.
While the stock may not be “sold, traded or used as security,” doesn’t it seem a bit disingenuous to insist that this stock does not represent ownership?
And, while the FED’s regional banks are not “operated for profit,” what does that mean? They do earn income, they pay above average wages, they cream off the very top a guaranteed dividend of 6% to member banks. (AND, the member banks can put half the required membership amount and give the FED an IOU for the rest, meaning they get a guaranteed effective return of 12% on the actual money tied up in shares).
The private banks who ‘buy’ shares of the FED system for membership, also are granted the right to create new money out of thin air and then charge interest on it.
The member banks also effectively control all of the leadership positions in the Federal Reserve System.
I’d call that “ownership.”
parkersinthehouse over 14 years ago
love and merry christmas pat oliphant
and all skinny santas everywhere
cartwrights over 14 years ago
Jase99: I agree with you about “the new fall of the roman empire.” Completely.
mhenriday over 14 years ago
Egads, everyone commenting here, from Left to Right, agrees with the sentiments expressed by Mr Oliphant in this cartoon. And yet, come the next election, I suspect that nearly all will vote to send the same lobbyist marionettes back to the US Congress and to the state and local legislatures. Why ?…
Henri