As Seen on MSNBC's "Morning Joe"

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

IS GOLDMAN SACHS EVIL?

That is the subject of my latest story for New York magazine, a look at the most secretive (and successful) banking firm on Wall Street and its transformation into populist enemy No. 1.

In the end, Goldman’s reputation is a luxury they may well be able to do without. Robert Rubin has been privately critical of how the firm has handled the threats to its prestige, and Rogers recently addressed the firm’s reputation in seminars with Goldman staff. But a person who frequently talks to senior executives at Goldman sums up the company’s attitude this way: “If we can push the envelope without D.C. punishing us, we don’t care about our Main Street reputation.” Blankfein in particular is said to be dismissive of the firm’s critics. According to a person close to him, the CEO believes Goldman’s internal problems will disappear once compensation comes back. In other words, money will solve everything.

READ ON>>>

The Ballad of Benji Hughes

I've written a profile of a great singer-songwriter named Benji Hughes for The Believer magazine's annual music issue. You can read the article and listen to samples of his music online by clicking >> HERE <<.