There Oughta Be A Law!

[xthread]

In another venue, someone argued 'the people who caused the mortgage meltdown be in jail?!'

I don't know if any of you, dear readers, happen to hold that view, but, if you do, would you be so kind as to tell me, in general terms, who you think ought to be in jail, and in specific terms, what you think they should be in jail for?

Let me note two important things at the outset: remember that lying to people is usually only against the law if you're doing so to cheat them out of money (which is why Bernie Madoff is in jail), and it's unconstitutional to make laws that make something retroactively illegal.

Got your moral outrage ready? Go!

Comments

[dixiemouse.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it's my cynical nature, or something even less flattering, but when I walk into a financial institution (or pretty much anywhere) I walk in with the expectation that they are looking out for themselves first. I am secondary AT BEST. Not to mention that most people that are doing the paperwork barely have more knowledge of what they are passing along than the people walking in. Nowadays, it seems the "trusted experts" are right up there with being the President of a bank 20 years ago.

I'm not saying that there were not people taken advantage of, or that those that were deserved it or asked for it. More, that there is more than just One single scenario that led to this and a Blanket Fix of "send 'em to jail" or hot chocolate enemas or whatever the justice of the day is proclaiming is not going to fix the problem, because there's more than one problem.

More and more, it seems, there is a need for a "fall guy" and quick answers to complicated issues. As easy and perhaps satisfying as it may be to point the finger and ride someone out on the rails, it's not actually going to solve the problem(s). Unfortunately, it's going to spur a greater divide between the right and left sides of the fence, leaving those like me, who like to sit on it, really screwed in the aftermath.