"Stimpy" wrote
but hang on i thought WE owned the banks
No, we have a stake in the banks.
That's a VERY different thing to owning them.

Very different indeed. basically, we've assumed their debts in exchange for
a large share, which interestingly gives the taxpayer what politicians call
'bugger all' control.

And our leaders have chosen not to exercise what little control they have,
anyway.

Not what I'd call a good deal, but nobody consulted me - they took advice
from merchant bankers, and most of them were the ones responsible for the
mess.

That's democracy, apparently ;o)
--

Andrew