Financing Opportunity

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Financial markets have fueled American prosperity for more than two centuries, so why are they often distrusted and criticized as harmful? The United States has had robust financial markets practically from the date the nation was founded. Within several years of ratifying the Constitution, the depth and breadth of America's banking and securities markets rivaled those of any other developed nation. And that's a good thing. America's financial system is inseparable from America's enormous growth, productivity, and prosperity. And while it's become popular to lay a host of ills at the feet of financial markets, markets are not themselves the cause of financial instability, income stagnation, or declining investment in productive endeavors. While our system is not perfect, many people would likely be shocked to learn just how many financial market deficiencies have been caused by harmful government policies. By providing historical context and