Heroism of Investment Bankers Finally Revealed

To the editors:

Kaustuv Sen's opinion piece "In Defense of Business Careers" (Nov. 30) has finally done justice to those besuited ones who solve economic problems and build homes and industries for us all. I would like to add my observations about investment bankers and those of their ilk. I wholeheartedly agree with Sen's lionization of these fabled heros, and often wonder myself why there is not more lore and myth about them.

Ever since I learned that consultants and bankers fight evil and poverty wherever they go, I have been mesmerized by their all mighty powers. Whenever my parents would fight, an investment banker from Bear Stearns would come by and exclaim, "I was doing some charts when I heard there was a problem in a residential neighborhood."

In high school, an analyst from Anderson was always there to stop me from accepting cigarettes from those inner city school volunteers. And thank God financial valuating and option wielding derivative associate partners were always there to save me from faulty medical practices and illiteracy. I have full faith that when the cure for cancer comes, it will come from the hallowed halls of Goldman Sachs.

So remember, don't be fooled by those who want you to do "good" for the world by standing up for justice. Moving money between capital markets saves lives, stops rights abuses, puts men on the moon, uncovers the structure of DNA and has been known to write the great American novel. MATTHEW N. STOLLER '00 Dec. 1, 1998