We need strong regulation of the financial markets and banking

The lack of government regulation helped to create the situation that led to the economic collapse of the fall of 2008 - the fallout from which we are still dealing with, and will be for months to come.

The purpose of regulation is to protect the public interest, as opposed to making it possible for a small number of individuals to manipulate the marketplace for their own selfish, personal gain, especially at the expense of society as a whole.

The duty of our government is to "promote the general welfare." I urge Congress to create strong regulation of the financial markets and banking in order to fulfill its obligation to the American people.

Christopher Thompson

Carpentersville