I can't say that I am a big conspiracy theorist. I love to read about them and see the creative ways that people piece seemingly unrelated coincidences into massive plans of corruption and quests for power. The theory that seems most compelling to me is the "One World Order" theory. You know. That one that says there is a secret, shadow government that truly runs all the world's affairs from a single room, and all elected politicians in the richest companies are actually controlled by these guys (or gals). Exciting and compelling stuff, wouldn't you say?

Now there are plenty of variations on this theory. Is it a group of religious figure-heads? Free Masons? Who knows. But one of the predominate theories--especially after the economic crisis--is the idea that these puppeteers are actually bankers. Big shots in the financial industry with the money to effect elections and even war through armaments. Now, like I said, I don't put too much stock in these theories being actually true, but something did happen today that made me instantly think of this conspiracy theory in particular.

Today, a Senate panel decided to back Ben Bernanke for a second term as head of the federal reserve. Bernanke? The same guy that didn't see the "worst economic crisis since the Great Depression" (quoted for President Obama) coming? The guy who said unemployment wouldn't exceed 10.1% which soon reached a high 10.5%? Well that alone wouldn't make the case for some group of powerful bankers influencing the decision of a Federal Reserve Head. Bernanke would have to be of some use to them. Give them some edge. Well it just so happens that Bernanke does that.

One of the primary duties of the Fed Chairman is to set the Fed Discount Rate. For those of you less than acquainted with the workings of the Federal Reserve, the Discount Rate is the rate at which banks can borrow cash from the federal reserve in order to pay loans and hand out to customers. It gets all really technical. If you are still interested, check out Wikipedia. Anyway, so Bernanke has kept the fed rate low at .5% (how many of you would like that rate for your mortgage?).

So what? Doesn't mean they are getting rich off this. Aren't they? Ask yourself how banks are able to pay back TARP money in record time. Well, one way is to buy treasury bonds, which are a guaranteed up to 4% return. Even the two year bond yields .55%. So they can borrow money at .5%, use it to buy bonds for a modest return will little work on the part of the bank.

Let's face it though, it is just a conspiracy theory right? And lest we forget, failure at one's job is a resume enhancement in Washington, so all this is just business as usual right? It is all just a coincidence that with Bernanke in charge and keeping Fed rates low, banks are making bank (so to speak) while the rest of us continue to suffer, right? Right?

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