Subject: File No. S7-08-09
From: larry w branton
Affiliation: retired

May 4, 2009

Bring back the uptick rule permanently. Very few average investors short stock. Hedge funds love to short, thus jerking around the market in wild swings that scare investors and cause markets swings. Shorting also almost destroyed our banking system. I see no benefits for the average investor, trying to build a retirement.