U.S. Losing AAA Is Way to Rein in Pelosi, Reid: David Reilly When it comes to America’s AAA debt rating, we have to ask whether we would be better off without it.

Goldman Sachs Wimps Out in Buck-Breaking Brawl: David Reilly Throughout the financial crisis, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. extolled the use of market prices to value holdings, saying this instills needed discipline. The firm’s hard-line stance turned to mush, though, when it came time to end a market myth that fueled 2008’s meltdown.

Secret Banking Cabal Emerges From AIG Shadows: David Reilly The idea of secret banking cabals that control the country and global economy are a given among conspiracy theorists who stockpile ammo, bottled water and peanut butter. After this week’s congressional hearing into the bailout of American International Group Inc., you have to wonder if those folks are crazy after all.

Banker Brothel Escapes Obama’s Populist Attack: David Reilly President Barack Obama has it backward when he attacks banks for lobbying against financial reform. He should instead target Congress and tell members to stop taking banks’ money.

Goldman’s Escape Route Might Be the Private Road: David Reilly Duck season? Rabbit season? It’s bank season.

Pin the Tail on Blankfein Is a Game Nobody Wins: David Reilly Goldman Sachs Group Inc., in the billiard room, with a rope and a blood-stained collateralized debt obligation. That seemed to be the answer the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission was aiming for yesterday as it kicked off a giant game of “Clue” meant to solve the mystery of who killed the financial system.

Bonus Blood-Letting May Be Banks’ Better Option: David Reilly The U.K.’s banker-bonus tax might not look so bad after all. Especially now that the Obama administration seems intent on hitting banks with a yet-to-be- determined special fee.

Why Hedge Funds Skip Spreadsheets, Call K Street: David Reilly What will the government do? That was the big question for anyone valuing bank stocks early last year. It still is, even though the shares are on firmer footing.

Columnist Reilly Delves Into House Financial-Reform Bill: Video Bloomberg columnist David Reilly talks with Jon Erlichman about the “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,” the financial-reform legislation passed earlier this month by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate has yet to pass its own plan. (Source: Bloomberg)

Bankers Get $4 Trillion Gift From Barney Frank: David Reilly To close out 2009, I decided to do something I bet no member of Congress has done -- actually read from cover to cover one of the pieces of sweeping legislation bouncing around Capitol Hill.