Friday, January 16, 2009

What is wrong with this picture?

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The Illinois scandal created by Rod Blagojevich, the financial thievery by Bernard Madoff, and now the Satyam billion dollar scam is definitely a sign of the times. But their is a striking difference in the way America and India have approached these public officials. For several weeks, Rod Blag as he is called, was allowed to run free, make a Senate appointment and arrogantly run wild like a child who is without discipline. Bernard Madoff, continues to be out on bail even though there are signs that he is transferring his assets. But in India, former Chairman Raju and CFO Vadlamani were immediately brought to prison after their arrest. Wow! What a contrast.

Don't get me wrong; I believe in the right of innocent until proven guilty. But come on! Our political correctness and lack of decisive criminal justice is giving the future corporate criminals of America the wrong message. Our justice system must make a stronger statement about how it is going to handle corporate and political criminals. These folks are embezzling family fortunes, entrenching political corruption, and swindling the retirement funds of thousands of people. They are common thieves and thugs and should be treated as such. Why are we delaying justice with Rod Blag? Why is Madoff allowed to run free? Why can't we bag those guys, lock em up and fast forward the judicial process? We can get to the parking ticket and misdemeanor cases later! I think we could make a strong statement to corporate criminals if we the people chased them down like the people in India! Or how about cutting their thieving hands off like they do in the Middle east? In India, the police were forcing themselves through the angry mob of outraged citizens for gods sake!

So what is wrong with this picture? Are we that apathetic about issues of morality and corporate crime? Or do the schemes run deeper than what meets the eye? What I want to know is; How many politicians and executives are rushing to clear their names before the witch hunt begins? How many "Deals" are the prosecutors making with other high level execs? Obviously, there are a lot of unanswered questions. But maybe what is wrong with this picture has more to do with a MUCH LARGER group of corporate criminals than civic apathy!

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