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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009
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 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE 
24

Goldman's Blankfein Is 'Doing God's Work'

A look behind the scenes at the omnipresent bank

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(Newser) – Lloyd Blankfein likes to say he's "attained perfection," a plausible-sounding assertion now that Goldman Sachs has repaid its TARP funds and is dishing out mammoth bonuses. "I don’t want to put a cap on their ambition," the CEO says of his employees. "It’s hard for me to argue for a cap on their compensation." After visiting their inner sanctum at 85 Broad St., John Arlidge of London's Sunday Times offers a field guide to "the biggest swinging dicks in the financial jungle."

Below his populist veneer, Blankfein is unapologetic about Goldman's contributions to the financial meltdown. "I know I could slit my wrists and people would cheer," he acknowledges. That might include his underlings, who endure a brutal hiring process before submitting to a corporate culture that leaves almost no time for a personal life, never mind vacation. At least you get to keep your sense of humor: "We don’t club baby seals," says one employee. "We club babies."

Lloyd C. Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, speaks at a luncheon on gender equality and empowerment of women at United Nations headquarters, Sept. 25, 2008.
Lloyd C. Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, speaks at a luncheon on gender equality and empowerment of women at United Nations headquarters, Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Karp)
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24 comments
VIEWING:
 
ksu92
Nov 8, 09 2:54 PM CST
I'm not advocating violence in any shape, but there does need to be a great leveling for these money-grubbers who threaten country and individual alike. Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
OG_Travis
Nov 8, 09 3:11 PM CST
They are the product of free market capitalism. They stand to ONLY make money for THEMSELVES at ALL costs. As every company should be in such an environment. They're all pieces of shit but they're in a toilet, what do you expect them to be.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
reasonator
Nov 8, 09 4:41 PM CST
It's a backward view of free market capitalism you have. Yes, they work hard to make a lot of money. That does not mean they are "pieces of shit." For all you know, many of them donate large sums to charity. Some do, some don't. Don't lump them all into one category and say they are awful people because of capitalism.
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-4
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Nov 8, 09 5:34 PM CST
Bankers shall all burn in hell.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Toon
Nov 8, 09 8:52 PM CST
This is why were need to rescind the Bush and Reagan tax cuts. These folks might have real lives if we put a limit to their greed.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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