February 14, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I stand in opposition to the proposed change in accreditation requirements for participating in hedge funds. The current level is certainly sufficient for screening out those with little financial knowledge or experience.
It is not the role of the government to prevent us from the consequences of our every decision...only to protect us from the use of force or fraud.
I currently participate as an investor in a Hedge fund and would probably qualify under the new guidelines as well. Still, I would find it unconscionable to use the force of law to prevent my neighbor from participating because he has a few dollars less.
As we say in Oklahoma,"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" I don't think the accredidation process is "broke" and think further changes will not be in the public's interest nor for the "common good." As Thomas Jefferson said,"That government is best which governs least."
Thank you for considering my views on this matter.