The German translation of “Mobs, Messiahs and Markets,” Der Massensyndrom, is out. And my co-author gave an interview to accompany the release.

We have a slight difference of opinion on this. I think the over-supply of paper money in the system over the past decades isn’t entirely Greenspan’s doing. It isn’t possible for one man to exert that kind of influence on the economy. What about the oceans of paper that poured in from millions of ordinary people in Asia who chose to stash their savings in the dollar rather than in a gunny sack… or in their own woozy currencies?

Too bad the dollar turned out to be as bad a bet as any of the others…

How the times they have a-changed.

Back then, we turned down thrifty, frumpy Hard-Work-And-Savings at the door (no callouses, dirty nails and sweat stains, please) and waltzed in on the arm of the Funny-Money-Hunny [sic] — a lady of questionable virtue and unquestioned charm….

But now?

We turn to the papers for insights and we find this:
Former Bear Stearns Hedge Fund Managers Indicted.

I guess they call that hedge-hunting.

Tut…And these guys were gods only yesterday.

How soon they forget….

All it took was for gas prices to double…..and the mob got out the noose and the gallows…
Back then, the working stiffs….got, well, stiffed.
Back then, all over the world, the good times rolled and the high-rollers made good;

But now it’s goodbye to the good times.
The nobs are being nabbed.
And the only thing rolling on Wall Street are the heads…..

(No trade mark infringement intended against Maria Bartiromo, TV’s original “Money Honey” – hence my alternative spelling..