Hold the optimism

The Anniston (Ala.) Star: Seeds of recessionary improvement, like those sowed by master gardeners, are beginning to take root. It’s a welcome sign.

But hold any widespread optimism, President Obama said recently.

If there are those on Wall Street who believe they own a green light to return to past practices — and receive another bailout — they are sadly mistaken, the president said. Help won’t come again.

No gray areas

That message had no gray areas, no room for misinterpretation.

“That Wall Street is making money again in essentially the same ways that thrust the banking system into chaos last fall is reason for concern on several levels, financial analysts and government officials said,” the AP reported.

In this sense, it’s a severe case of bad timing that Washington’s undivided attention has been on health care reform, undoubtedly a needed and worthwhile effort. That’s the topic of the moment, as it should be.

But rest assured that the White House soon must return its gaze to Wall Street, to the scene of the crime. Changes are still needed.