While it's not the best way to analyze the financial-reform bill, it's worth noting that the financial industry is taking out its anger over the legislation by giving Democratic politicians less money -- 65 percent less than during the 2008 elections:
The overwhelming factor is the rising anger among financial executives who think they have not been treated well based on their support of Democrats over the past four years, according to lawmakers, party strategists and fundraisers. Several of the party's biggest New York donors declined through spokesmen to be interviewed. Some Democrats say pushing Wall Street reform is more important than any slippage in political donations.
This isn't to say that all Democrats supported these policies out of good government instincts, but the Democratic political establishment made the calculation, due in no small part to activist pressure and general public anger at the banks, that being on the right side of this issue is more important than creating a large fundraising advantage.
-- Tim Fernholz