Hillbilly wisdom: Insider trading and other white collar crimes are 1)profitable, 2)relatively safe in terms of punishment and 3) Prove it. Insider trading are transactions that occur based upon knowledge or information that is unavailable to the general public. The penalty is severe but the difficulty in proving the crime makes the risk less than the substantial reward. Deniability is enhanced by third party involvement. Knowing something and proving it are different things. The results of stacking the deck in the local poker games is loss of the hand. No big deal- right. Wrong, the financial loss of one hand impacts everyone associated with the loser (negative) and the winner (positive). But no one knows!

Crimes are misdemeanors or felonies based upon the use of violence, significant harm, or the amount of monetary gain. White collar crimes are tempting and beneficial because of the large returns.

During the present administration financial crimes are the leading reason for pardons if you remove the one time blanket pardon of the January 6^th incident. No one got hurt is bullshit.

Results of white collar crimes, instead of a single one-time affair, are spread over time and impact larger numbers and more importantly are committed not on impulse but are well thought out affairs, deliberately planned and executed for personal return. The wealth taken represents the accumulated efforts (savings) over large periods of time of individuals or groups. “White collar crimes are not crimes of passion or need. They are crimes brought about by a position or information unknown to others. The impact of financial crimes are no less tragic because violence was not used. The crime was deliberate and committed against society(United States) at large. Individuals steal from the society that provides them the opportunity to improve and prosper for their honest labors.

In political terms it would be considered treasonous. Until we demand protection against privileged individuals charged with duties and who swore an oath to “support and defend the constitution”, we are complicit- we share the blame. So am I suggesting that white collar crime should have larger and stiffer penalties; that those in position to do the most good have a greater responsibility than the people they represent? Damn straight. That is one way to stop crimes against society.

Accountability means expectations first and penalties for noncompliance second. VOTE.