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Punishment to Fit the Crime

The scale of crime and punishment.   This is a timeless hierarchy, sweeping across human history.

  • When the citizen parks illegally, there is a punishment appropriate. 
  • When the small time street crook is caught for stealing a few bucks and is caught, punishment appropriate is administered.  (The police are here)
  • When the corporate embezzler steals thousands and is caught, punishment appropriate is administered. (The district attorney is here.)

    The ancient Code of Hammurabi ends here.
  • When the CEO of a "cannot fail company" errors costing billions to investors is caught, there seems to be little punishment, aside from possibly losing their position. (Politicians are here - sometimes.)
  • When the high level administrator of a nation agency errors costing lives and trillions in treasure is exposed, who is punished?  In many cases there can be an increase in their level of admiration. (Who is here? Who is complaining? Who is punished, except for the public?)
  • When the leader of a nation diminishes the country, encumbers it to unparalleled debt, tarnishes its reputation, and does not defend its legal citizens' rights, is exposed, who is punished?  No one.
BTW, this is my blog #200, something of a milestone for me.
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