In message , Tim W
writes

It's the ill checked multilayered investments I object to (many of the
subprime packages were basically a ball of ****e dipped in candy and painted
pretty colours, and the other speculative investments that are effectively
playing poker.

It is those that should be well and truley decoupled from peoples' pensions
and savings.

Quite!

Can someone kindly give me an explanation of derivatives? Preferably in
plain English:-)

I think I have grasped the principle of *short selling* and stock
lending.

regards

--
Tim Lamb