Stories by Zach Carter

Zach Carter is AlterNet's economics editor. He is a fellow at Campaign for America's Future, writes a weekly blog on the economy for the Media Consortium and is a frequent contributor to The Nation magazine. subscribe to Zach Carter's feed

Former Goldman Sachs Banker Revving Up Smear Campaign Against Elizabeth Warren

Posted on: Mar 18, 2011, Source: Huffington Post

Is a former Goldman banker using the Wall Street Journal to defame the consumer watchdog?

Are Treasury’s Knives Coming Out Against Elizabeth Warren?

Posted on: Oct 29, 2010, Source: AlterNet

In recent weeks, Treasury officials have leaked details about Warren to Politico to smear her reputation.

5 Outright Illegal Scams That Should Put Wall St. Bankers Behind Bars

Posted on: Sep 21, 2010, Source: AlterNet

From laundering drug money to gouging you on overdrafts, here are five scams where Wall Street ran afoul of the law.

Treasury Makes Shocking Admission: Program for Struggling Homeowners Just a Ploy to Enrich Big Banks

Posted on: Aug 24, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The Treasury Dept.'s mortgage relief program isn't just failing, it's actively funneling money from homeowners to bankers, and Treasury likes it that way.

Meet Dylan Ratigan, That Guy on MSNBC Who Can Talk a Mean Streak About the Scam Artists on Wall St.

Posted on: Aug 13, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Dylan Ratigan is an unlikely champion of the common man, yet is emerging as one of the strongest voices for economic reform in the United States.

A Vast Right-Wing Digg Conspiracy Expose Shows JournoList Scandal to Be a Lot of Conservative Hot Air

Posted on: Aug 6, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Take note, right-wing scandalmongers, this is what a politically motivated media conspiracy looks like.

4 Bogus Attacks Bankers and Their Political Puppets Are Using to Attack Elizabeth Warren

Posted on: Jul 28, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Warren is a lauded scholar, and an inspiring advocate who will draw talented and dedicated reformers to her cause.

Wall Street Is Laundering Drug Money and Getting Away with It

Posted on: Jul 15, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Wall Street has been caught laundering massive amounts of drug money. So why isn't anybody being punished?

How the Sneaky Hands of the Big Banks Are Working Overtime to Rip You off

Posted on: Jul 14, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The economy is crumbling and consumers are in trouble. So banks are hitting them with $38 billion a year in deceptive fees.

Inaction by Congress Deepens the Jobs Crisis

Posted on: Jul 6, 2010, Source: The Media Consortium

The jobs crisis is getting worse. Why won't Congress do anything about it?

The BP Speech: Obama Still Refuses to Lead

Posted on: Jun 15, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Faced with the worst environmental disaster in history, Obama wants change. He just won't fight for it.

"Lure People Into That Calm and Then Just Totally F--k 'Em": How All of Us Pay for the Derivatives Market

Posted on: Jun 11, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Derivatives are a hotbed of abuses and bailouts. So why are taxpayers footing the bill?

Why Banks Try to Make Borrowers Feel Like Sinners When They Can't Pay off Their Mortgages

Posted on: Jun 4, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Crazy views about homeownership are helping the very bankers who screwed us in the first place.

The Corporate Stranglehold: How BP Will Make out Like Bandits from Its Massive, Still Gushing Oil Disaster

Posted on: May 25, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The existing $75 million cap on damages for offshore drilling companies is a bailout every bit as disgusting as those recently bestowed upon Wall Street.

Nouriel Roubini: How to Break Up the Banks, Stop Massive Bonuses, and Rein in Wall Street Greed

Posted on: May 17, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The prominent economist explains why the model of the financial supermarket is a disaster, and why it's so dangerous that Wall Street is back to business as usual.

America's Ten Most Corrupt Capitalists

Posted on: May 12, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Wall Street's captains of industry and top policymakers in Washington are often the same people. A lot of them get rich by playing for both teams.

Whip the Senate on Carper's Let-Banks-Violate-the-Law Amendment!

Posted on: May 12, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Sen. Tom Carper is trying to sneak a covert piece of brutal deregulation into the Wall Street reform bill. Don't let him get away with it!

Congress Goes to Bat For Wall Street, Rejects Plan To Break up Banks

Posted on: May 7, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Last night, Congress shot down the most important Wall Street reform.

Dems Break GOP's Attempted Filibuster in the Senate, But Proposed Wall Street Reforms Are Pretty Flimsy

Posted on: Apr 29, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The good news: Democrats didn't sacrifice much to break the GOP filibuster. The bad news: the Wall Street reform bill is still too weak.

Five Ways the Wall St. Reform Bill Needs to Be Fixed

Posted on: Apr 22, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The Wall Street reform bill in Congress won't live up to President Obama's goals -- unless we can push them to change it.

How Deregulation Fueled Goldman's Scam

Posted on: Apr 20, 2010, Source: The Media Consortium

It's good to see Goldman Sachs being held accountable, but better regulations could have prevented the company's subprime scam.

Simon Johnson: Wall Street's Stranglehold on Our Democracy Must Be Broken

Posted on: Apr 16, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The progressive economist talks about the fight to reform Wall Street, what Robert Rubin should do with his money, and why Jamie Dimon is the most dangerous man in America.

10 Ways to Force the Stinking Rich to Share Their Wealth

Posted on: Apr 14, 2010, Source: AlterNet

How rich people can stop whining about the deficit and start paying their taxes.

Despite Some PR Spin, the Top U.S. Bank Cop Is Still Pushing the Same Anti-Consumer Agenda

Posted on: Apr 5, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Instead of strengthening the framework that lead the economy to the brink of collapse, the top U.S. bank regulator wants to sabotage it further.

Alan Greenspan and the New York Times Are Gunning for Your Social Security

Posted on: Mar 24, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The battle for Social Security is on -- and the Times is fighting for the bad guys.

Obama's New Banking Nominees Have Surprisingly Progressive Creds

Posted on: Mar 22, 2010, Source: AlterNet

After a series of poor economic appointments, Obama is considering three strong candidates for posts at the Fed.

Obama's US Top Cop for Banks Wants Less Regulation, Echoes Republican Wall St. Pals

Posted on: Mar 18, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Republicans are taking an unpopular stand with Wall Street. Dems need to have the guts to stand up against them both.

Will Weak Wall Street Reforms Wreck the Economy Again?

Posted on: Mar 16, 2010, Source: The Media Consortium

Fraud was a huge part of the financial crisis-- so why isn't the government going after the fraudsters?

How Did A Bank Lobbyist Score The Top Bank Regulator Job?

Posted on: Mar 4, 2010, Source: The Nation

For years, John Dugan waged a war against the economy as a top bank lobbyist. Then George W. Bush made him the top U.S. bank regulator.

The GOP Hates Jobs

Posted on: Mar 2, 2010, Source: Media Consortium

With unemployment out of control, the economy is in dire need of serious financial reform and a major jobs package. But not if GOP obstructionists can help it.

Joseph Stiglitz: Bankers Made Reckless Bets on the Economy, Knowing Taxpayers Were Going to Pick up the Tab

Posted on: Feb 24, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The Nobel Prize-winning economist argues the banking industry "failed in their core societal function," helping lead to the great economic crash of '08.

Is Obama Committing Political Suicide? President Calls Obscene Wall St. Bonuses 'Part of the Free Market System'

Posted on: Feb 10, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Obama says he doesn't have a problem with bonuses at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan. He's going to have a big problem at the polls in November.

Home Underwater? Walk Away from Geithner's Perverse 'Homeowner Relief' Plan

Posted on: Feb 9, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The plan to supposedly aid homeowners drowning in debt adopted by Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is just a money trough for the banks.

Elizabeth Warren on the Great Economic Battlefield: Protecting the Middle Class from Financial Predators

Posted on: Jan 27, 2010, Source: AlterNet

A new Consumer Financial Protection Agency can save the middle class. Elizabeth Warren explains how.

Obama Adopts Volcker's Solution: If Banks Want Govt. Guarantees, They Have to Close Their Casino Operations

Posted on: Jan 21, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Obama's endorsement of Volcker's plan is truly an extraordinary step forward for economic policy, but there's a long way to go.

How Citigroup's Payback Plan Will Ultimately Screw Taxpayers

Posted on: Dec 22, 2009, Source: TheNation.com

We've reached the epitome of crony capitalism, yet the government has given no indication that any action will be taken.

Congress's Attempt at Financial Reform Is Very Weak Broth

Posted on: Dec 15, 2009, Source: Media Consortium

The latest efforts to reform Wall Street don't away with too-big-to-fail banks, and that's a big problem -- here's what progressives are saying about it.

Want to Save Our Economy from Almighty Greed? Here Are 10 Crucial Fights and Key Fighters to Watch

Posted on: Nov 4, 2009, Source: AlterNet

If the economic crisis taught us anything, it's that bringing to heel the whiz kids of finance is a top priority.

Flush with Cash From Bank Lobbyists, Conservative Dems Are Killing the Consumer Protection We All Need

Posted on: Sep 30, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Wall Street-influenced Democrats may not act as nutty as their GOP counterparts, but they're dealing out the same economic damage.

Obama's Plan to Help Homeowners Is a Bust

Posted on: Aug 6, 2009, Source: Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute

It can't keep pace with the rate of foreclosures -- not even close. Why was the industry allowed to police itself?

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