Thanks for the tip, MonkeyJenga! I'll look into them. Somehow the corruption gets me really steamed-- insult to injury, and the realization that the rest of us getting screwed is just a pleasant side effect to Trump and the robber barons' quest to further enrich themselves.
I'm not actually in NYC any more... takes me about an hour to get to town from the 'burbs. But I'm sure there will be a local chapter.
Thank you, Unique User, for the links! Yeah, that fiduciary rule!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/02/03/the-fiduciary-rule-pros-and-cons/97461332/It seems that the main con of interest to consumers is the so-called "guidance gap" that might form if providers of investment advice to low- to middle-income consumers drop out, due to the costs of having to provide advice in their client's best interest, and proving that they did so.
Found a discussion here at Vanguard on the topic.
https://advisors.vanguard.com/VGApp/iip/site/advisor/researchcommentary/article/IWE_VideoDOL6TBH, the fiduciary rule does not affect me personally but I do bridle at the thought of financial advisors NOT acting in their client's best interest.
P.S. Now reading through the Hot Bills section. Holy smokes!!! What a stinkstorm!