February 27, 2009

Subject: File No. S7-08-09

I am a semi-retired small investor. I would like to see the playing field more level with regards to stock trading. Please reinstate the "uptick" rule. Please do not allow naked short selling. And last....take a closer look into the harm some of the hedge funds, especially those that deal in short selling (with what amounts to margin or leverage) are doing to the market. Nothing wrong with short selling, but when it can drive a stock or stocks down quicker and further than they normally would go down....that distorts the market and puts the average "long investor" at a great disadvantage.

Thank you.