February 24, 2007
The intention of this rule is, as usual, well intentioned however there is no true benefit to an individual investor or to the economy as a whole in this proposal.
We already have a plethora of existing rules and regulations covering broker/client communication. The primary problem is this; the proposal seriously limits rational discourse between a client and their broker.
Living in the new tech age requires more information being shared, not less. We are building an environment of fear, and wasted disclosure rather than allowing greater unimpeded information flow.
Here is the bottom line all rule makers need to understand - You CANNOT produce legislation to protect stupid people from flakey people, it never has worked and it NEVER will -flakes will always try to bilk the public out of thier money no matter how many 'tightened rules' you produce.
The final effect of this type of rule is this - you over-burden honest brokers, their employees and their clients with far too much bureaucratic 'ass covering' paperwork and legal fees, while at the same time the flakes of the world simply work around it.