Christmas on Wall Street

This is an enjoyable time of the year. It's when families gather together to share a wonderful holiday meal and exchange presents. After all, who doesn't love to tear the wrapping off their presents to see what's inside? It is especially nice to see the excitement of small children as they open their presents.

I can only imagine the excitement as little Ben Bernanke unwraps his present from his uncle, Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs. It can only bring a tear to everyone's eye as they see the sheer joy on little Ben's face as he gazes at his present - a shiny brand-new helicopter!

Little Ben Bernanke will yell out, "Mommy, mommy, look at my new helicopter!" Now I can dump all the money I want out of my new helicopter and make everyone on Wall Street happy!"

His uncle, Lloyd Blankfein, will be smiling broadly as he tells little Ben "You see the nice things that happen when you do God's work, like fleecing Main Street?"

And he added, "Now just make sure, Ben, that NONE of that money you dump out of your helicopter falls onto Main Street - it must ALL go to the people on Wall Street who are doing God's work."

I wanted to leave everyone with some holiday cheer - a poem. And my apologies to the original author, who most believe is Clement Clarke Moore.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Wall Street
Not a creature was stirring, not even a greedy rat;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Santa Ben with sacks full of money would soon be there;
The bankers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of perks and bonuses danced in their head;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
The bankers sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.
When, what to their wandering eyes should appear,
But a miniature limo with eight cyclinders under the hood,
With a bald, bearded driver, so lively and quick,
The bankers knew in a moment that it must Santa Ben.
Down the chimney came Santa Ben with a bound.
A bundle of money he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the bankers' stockings with billions of dollars;
And, giving a nod, up the chimney the person of the year rose;
He sprang to his limo, and away he flew.
As he drove out of sight, he was heard to exclaim,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Happy Holidays to everyone!