Welcome to America - the land of the free market system, where entrepreneurs are encouraged and success is rewarded. Wrong.

Such is the state of things over in Obama-land, that Lloyd Blankfein, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, has allegedly had to warn his troops not to go out and make ostentatious purchases which may draw unwanted attention to the success of individuals and the firm. The New York Post quotes one unnamed Goldman staffer, who said: 'This is a sensitive time for us, and (Blankfein) wants to make sure that we're not being seen living high on the hog'. So Goldman's finest keep their cash in their pockets, and the economy has to look to Obama's stimulus plan for a kick-start (the same stimulus package that is unlikely to stimulate much until 2010). Only in America.

And did you hear about the the 'young' man in his underpants who apparently 'passed out' over the iconic 7,000 pound bronze sculpture of the Wall Street bull by Arturo Di Modica  (pictured) ? Many thought that the guy slumped over the sculpture earlier this week was a drunken bank intern. New York Magazine reports, however, that he was Peter Killy, a middle age actor making an independent film. And Killy said that he was a little put out by the fact that the opportunistic person who took the photo never even came up to him to check out whether he was dead or alive ! He was also ignored by a passing police vehicle. Only in America.

Oh, and Ruth Madoff, Bernie's wife, apparently can't now spend any more than $100 on herself without informing Irving Picard, the trustee liquidating her husband's investment advisory business. Mrs Madoff, of course, hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing. And Bloomberg reports that Picard has sent in his bill for the four months he has worked so far on trying to untangle Bernie's finances. The fee ? $14.7m! Only in America.

Finally, equality, opportunity, respect. These are the watchwords that help elect Barack Obama President. Interesting then that, according to Reuters, Obama's Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, is said to have turned the air blue with expletives when he couldn't persuade top US bank regulators to get onside with the boss's financial regulation restructuring plan. Everyone is equal except you, everyone gets an opportunity except us, and no-one gets respect except me. Only in America.

Sources - Bloomberg, Dealbreaker, New York Magazine, Reuters

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