[Alberta's Child]

He wanted a place where the city’s immigrants could bank, as well. How did he judge each loan candidate? Not on their credit history, for sure. But rather, their character. Back in the good old Giannini days, she said, a mere handshake could secure a bank loan — and guaranteed repayment in full. Those days are clearly over.

What isn't mentioned here is that Giannini was confident about the prospects for this new type of "middle class" banking for one very important reason: He believed this country's most valuable asset was the Protestant work ethic of its citizenry.

Those days are long gone, folks.

[WOSG]

“He believed this country’s most valuable asset was the Protestant work ethic of its citizenry.”

This still exists, but it is given no credit or validation or support from the elites, the govt or the culture.

[Clemenza]

Why, pray tell, is Bavaria now wealthier than all of northern Germany? Or the Irish Republic wealthier than Northern Ireland?

Just sayin' (as an atheist).

BTW: The wealthiest ethnic groups in this country (Japanese, Jews, Persians, Greeks, East Indians) don't tend to have lots of Protestants. Appalachia is filled with tons of Scots Irish Prods who don't have much of a work ethic.

[I Buried My Guns]

"...He believed this country's most valuable asset was the Protestant work ethic of its citizenry...

That is an odd statement coming from someone who was most certainly a Catholic!