The letter at the end by "Sten Kreuger" suggests that the spirit of the "world's greatest swindler" continues to run in the family.

I wonder just how illusive the world's economy is today? Every time I hear economists talk about it pre and post crash, it's always with the same kind of confidence that the article ascribes to Kreuger. Since the economy thrives on confidence, there is incentive for economists to lie to us.

Nah, it's only economists who are bankrolled by people who have a lot to gain if/when the economy picks up.

The rest of us tell it as we see it.

EDIT: It's just we can't get the same amount of air time...

"And once again, financial innovation is moving faster than rules can keep up with it..." More like the rules are being written out of the way to allow for "financial innovation" to break free of order and bring chaos.

Shouldn't the world's greatest swindler be someone who's name we don't know?

The greatest swindler would be someone who everyone clearly knows is swindling them, but that they voluntarily do not stop. Plus, he gets something extremely valuable.

Secretary Paulson?

He's swindling me?

Are you a US taxpayer?