The Limits of Anti-Bank Populism
Matt Taibbi is a fantastic writer. But for all his radicalism, he is participating in some populist traditions that are much bigger than himself and about which some caution is warranted. Anti-bank populism has a long history in the US, and most of it is pretty unsavory. Jefferson, like many slave owners, opposed Hamilton's plan for a national bank because, if the Federal Government had the power to charter a bank, it might have the power to end slavery. Jackson, too, hated banks, and thought
