Legislators have got to understand the path these others are taking the nation. The need for an investigation is urgent.

Date: September, 19, 2008

Securities & Exchange Commission
Office of the Chairman
Washington, DC

RE: Market Restrictions

Dear Sir,

As a longtime participant in the world of business and entrepreneurship as well as being involved in numerous ways in the stock market here in the U.S., I would like to make known my extreme displeasure of your rules regarding the shorting of financial brokers and banks. I understand the issue with 'naked shorting', as the practice is known to be very harmful to the true and honest function of markets. However, the restricting of investors freedom to react to market conditions, be they good or bad is a form of socialism that should be shunned with vigor, not embraced by a regulatory body. How silly it is for a regulator to essentially say; "We only want 'bullish' market participants". Your agency, with this regulation has just destroyed the market you are given the responsibility to oversee. How is the market supposed to 'punish' mismanagement and dereliction of fiduciary duties of these companies? The companies that I am shorting are guilty of gross mismanagement and greed. Management has been very eager to take massive bonuses and stock options at the detriment of shareholders and depositors, as they leverage the assets of their company to make out sized profits for the next quarter....never looking to the long term health of the company or their shareholders.

The very people and companies you are now protecting are some of the worst violators of your longstanding rules regarding naked shorting. They have made billions of dollars shorting good, well managed companies. They care not who they hurt or destroy, now, when the 'shoe is on the other foot' they come crying for 'protection'. How disgusting and unfair. The SEC will ultimately be viewed as a protector of criminal behavior and those in responsible positions in your agency who make these decisions will be targets of unending investigations, lawsuits and career ending loss of credibility and reputation.

Please end these restrictions and let the 'market' take care of misdeeds and malfeasance, don't be guilty of aiding and abetting the enemy.

Best regards,

E.O.Barlow

cc:
Wall Street Journal
Salt Lake Tribune
USA Today
Senator, Orin Hatch
Senator, Robert Bennett
Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
Kristin J. Kaepplein, Director
Bill Cara