Ritholtz Lets His True Feelings Show

I get a kick out of Barry Ritholtz. He's more honest than most Wall Streeters. He does show concern for the "little guy" while he helps the rich get richer...

Today is May Day, and while International Workers’ Day (Labour Day in the UK), means little in the USA, its a big holiday in Europe. Banks and markets are closed on the continent, (England celebrates on Monday).

Speaking with Mike Panzner this morning (his clients are mostly Europeans) made me think about this: Which region is the true Socialist state?

-Europe has cradle to grave health care plans, generous unemployment benefits, and free or subsidized college costs.

-The US gives away public assets (oil, gas, mineral rights) for pennies on the dollar, has huge subsidies and tax breaks, and bails out reckless speculators.

It turns out that both regions are welfare states — only in Europe, the natural population (i.e., people) is the recipient, while in the US, the corporate population is the beneficiary.

Food for thought . . .

His site is mostly about money & markets. But once in a while he shows a social conscience. Something rarer than hen's teeth among his Wall Street brethren.