Bernie Madoff-The Ultimate Con Artist--And Still At It

I’m no lawyer, but can anyone answer me ONE question?

Why isn’t Bernie Madoff behind bars?

Is it because he could post ANY bail amount? Is he not a flight risk? Does ANYONE trust him anymore? I get the whole “innocent until proven guilty” routine, but shouldn’t he be locked up until trial?

After allegedly stealing $50 Billion (yes, that is a B), why is he under “house arrest”? With all the comforts of a wealthy lifestyle, the word is that he was still trying to hide assets while on the loose. Since he stole from some pretty wealthy and powerful people, it may be true that prison could be the SAFEST place for him to be. Are taxpayers footing the bill for the security detail that guards his in-town mansion?

Here’s a funny little Madoff parody:


And here’s the link if the player isn’t showing up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8pcME4MMj0

I won’t attempt to fool anyone into thinking I actually understand the whole “Ponzi scheme” scenario, but I guess that it basically means that the first investors (read “suckers”) get paid with the proceeds from subsequent victims. This way, real money seems to be made (at rates that seem unbelievable)-but hey, cash is cash—and the flow of these returns built not only TRUST, but also future, heftier investments.

That members of the SEC were blind, stupid, complicit or all three in this affair surprises no one. It is interesting to note the reaction among regular folks to the losses of the super-rich. There is almost a smug satisfaction, that these “captains of industry” somehow themselves became humiliated and separated from their millions. This is unfortunate, as the victim seems to always define the reaction to the crime. Grab the purse of a young lady professional (say, perhaps..an attorney?)and while we may express outrage, it would never cause the emotional response had the victim been an elderly grandmother.

Jokes will be sustained longer than usual due to the suspect’s own name. Yes, Bernie “Madoff” with billions of dollars, but the last I heard, it’s a lot tougher to spend when he’ll be spending the rest of his life in prison---at fate that cannot come too soon.