"13 Bankers" by Simon Johnson & James Kwak

The book chronicles how the banking industry has ascended into the largest and most powerful political lobby contributing hundreds of millions of dollars in support of key members of Congress's financial committees.  One columnist recently commented on how members of Congress should wear jackets depicting their sponsor's logos on their backs akin to NASCAR.  I suspect that Congress coddles to the wishes of their biggest contributors and turn their attention to the constituents around election time.

The book chronicles the revolving door between Pennsylvania Avenue and Wall Street.  The list of Wall Street executives who served in key Presidential posts, such as Treasury Secretary, reads like a Who's Who in financial America.

Our 7th President, Andrew Jackson, had a tremendous distrust of banks, particularly a central bank.  He had feared, rightfully so, that such a bank or strong banking industry would be the target of bribes and payoffs in exchange for favorable political treatment.  It appears that President Jackson was correct.