The demise of Merchants and Farmers lies on Potts’ shoulders, although he has advisers. All bank CEOs and boards have those who read the economic signs for potholes, quicksand, and, of course, the end of the rainbow. It appears that most of those financial prognosticators read the economic signs incorrectly. I know this fellow who looked into the clouds and saw the letters G P. He drove his plow mule to the barn and excitedly went home and told his wife that God had given him a sign in the clouds to “go preach.” His wife’s interpretation of G P was much different. She said G P meant “go plow.”

Many of those financial prophets looked at signs in the elements and saw a bright future for the banking industry. And it wasn’t just Potts’ prophets.

I have stock in four banks. All have been hit hard by the lack of guidance and recession. Two received TARP funds.

I have an opinion: Mr. Potts and his board should cut their salaries to $1.00 a year, until the bank has footing enough to pay shareholders far more than $1.00 a share.