What happens after the bubble pops?

If you want to be (or if you are) an attorney working in the public sector, Bailout, by Neil Barofsky is a "must read" book for you.  The cartoon above was published in 1901. Chasing the bull's bubbles is nothing new.  However, public policies adopted after a major "pop" are uniquely related to the economic and political realities of the time.  The recent financial crisis reached a tipping point on September 15, 2008.  On October 15, 2008, Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Barofsky received a telephone call that launched him into the inner sanctum of the government's efforts to promote a recovery.  However, as the Special Inspector General in charge of oversight of the TARP bailout funds, he was on the "outside" looking into the policies and procedures of the "inside" decision makers.  What he learned and experienced is amazing and instructive.  In his book he does not pull any punches in "calling out" individuals and misguided programs.  His story of courage and persistence in the face of powerful opposition should serve as an inspiration for attorneys seeking to serve in the best interest of the public's welfare.                                                   John Greanias, Copyright 2014