> The financial industry showed its might in other debates, as well. In one example, Republicans in the Senate joined with moderate Democrats in 2009 to defeat

> The financial industry showed its might in other debates, as well. In one example, Republicans in the Senate joined with moderate Democrats in 2009 to defeat a plan to allow judges to set new terms of mortgages, a measure that could have also allowed Americans to get more favorable terms amid the housing crisis. This is a very important point. Wall Street is getting power and knowledge directly from the source. Who is defending Main Street needs? > But the effect of the banks’ influence, according to former lawmakers, was to dilute the legislation. This is one of the reasons we get so bad legislation. The original ideas and goals were good. But they get lobbied out of existence. So, I do not know if working for the Wall Street is a bad thing per se to do for legislators once they finish their terms. But the result is an unhealthy economy. And that needs to be addressed.