Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit

McClatchy : Overzealous bank regulators and an attempt by Congress to punish greedy bank executives are combining to restrict the ability of the nation's 8,000 community banks to lend to small businesses, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Tuesday. Called to testify before the Senate Finance Committee about the Obama administration's fiscal 2011 budget proposal, Geithner instead spent much of his time discussing why lending hasn't picked up at community banks, often the only lender to small-town America. Right because it is Congress's fault that they just HAD to be so tough on helpless bank executives. Banks are not responsible for the current recession. Congress and bank regulators are because they forced bankers to be reckless and soulless sociopaths. This is really all we got? I know I am layman. A simpleton. So I don't get how "banking and loans" work per say , but there has to be someone better fitted for the type of crisis we have on our hands....

Huffington Post : Critics of the Obama administration's proposed bank tax have called the levy arbitrary, punitive and unfair. Now they may repeat those same claims in court. The banking industry, the New York Times reports today, is hoping to stave off a tax that could cost the largest firms more than $1.5 billion each. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the banks' top lobbying group, the NYT reports, is currently considering challenging the constitutionality of Obama's Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee. According to an email from SIFMA to Wall Street's banks obtained by the NYT, the tax "would unfairly single out and penalize big banks." We should make it even a harsher punishment. Perhaps putting them in time out and taking away their after dinner teevee privileges? Threatening them with a wooden spoon or daddy will bring out the leather belt to give them a whopping? Maybe take away their play time with mistresses and trans...

The President today announced he is proposing "Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee" which would be imposed on the fat cat bankers and firms who received tax payer relief. He also added this stinger, "If these companies are in good enough shape to afford massive bonuses, they are surely in good enough shape to afford paying back every penny to taxpayers." It sounds awfully nice. Steven Benen : The plan is to raise $90 billion over the next decade -- which, for this industry, isn't exactly an overwhelming burden -- with this new "fee." It would be applied to about 50 banks, insurance companies, and Wall Street trading houses with assets of more than $50 billion. The tax would remain in place until the funds are recovered, though it would be scrapped before the end of the decade if the $90 billion is returned ahead of schedule. Would the costs prove counter-productive if/when the banks passed along the costs to customers? The Obama administration doesn...

Well it was a GaGa weekend, I took the lady to the Rosemont Theater to see Lady Gaga live and she was beyond thrilled. Needless to say it was quite entertaining, no pants, lots of dancing and tons of whacked out and weirdness to go around. I think I might have found a hobby better than people watching at the airport, Gaga fans (or "Little Monsters" as she refers to them) watching. It was great to see the lady enjoying herself and although Gaga isn't my particular musical tastes, girl puts on a good show. So this was the weekend of Gaga. I did get in some football on Sunday and let me tell you, Arizona and Green Bay had no intention of playing defense. It was hard to watch at times. How do you miss a 34 yard chip shot? An amazing finish though for Arizona , who should have a shoot out next week in New Orleans. Here are your highlights: Obama looks to impose fees on banks , awww this sounds like...KARMA! (although I doubt it will be as stringent as I would propose) The Vil...

IT IS FRIDAY!! Yes start your engines, get your booze, do whatever it is you do because Fall is here. This is great because football is in full effect and the leaves start changing to those Virginia oranges, yellows and reds. Us in Chicago know that this might only last a week or two, so we will cherish this season as long as we have it. Fall also brings bang up stand-up comedy as shows pop up everywhere and comedians start hitting the college circuit. Above is a video of C.J. Sullivan who has been in the comedy scene in Chicago since I relocated here from D.C. He also is host on the much touted Visitors Locker Room , a hilarious take on sports, life and comedy. Here are your highlights: Selective Deficit Disorder , our politicians have got it up to the ear Media Matters has been keeping the blowhards in check , especially about this "post-racial" America pile of turd Obama is the Anti-Christ in NJ Oh this is funny, so funny 75% of Oklahoma high school students can't nam...