Barack Obama's inaugural address emphasizes the need for unity, hope, and collective action in the face of national crises, including economic challenges and global conflicts. He acknowledges the sacrifices of past generations and calls for a renewed commitment to the principles of equality, freedom, and opportunity for all. The address outlines a vision for rebuilding America through infrastructure development, healthcare reform, and international cooperation, while rejecting divisive politics and advocating for a responsible government that serves its citizens.
PREREQUISITESPolitical science students, historians, civic leaders, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of American governance and the importance of collective action in addressing national and global challenges.
No I don't see. Apparently neither does the current President. Does that make him a collaborator?LowlyPion said:Certainly that wouldn't solve the problems you list, but surely you see that there would be some comfort in knowing that the sanctimonious hypocrites that misled the country and the world through deceit and unregulated self interest would have gotten on Earth a foretaste of their deserved eternal fates.
No. Unless you mean Madoff, who'll be thrown under the jail for specific crimes, no, I reject the notion that government should some inflict some vague criminal penalties based on another vague notion that Wall St. did ... something. Specifics?mgb_phys said:You don't think teaching Wall St that running a $Bn scam should carry at least the same penalty as stealing cable, won't improve the economy?
It will hopefully persuade savers and investors that putting their money into American companies is slightly safer than giving to Nigerian scammers.
Yes, and people do go to jail for that. Where are people getting a pass at the moment on such behavior?mgb_phys said:I think if you are an accountancy firm who signs off on fraudulent accounts in return for a commision on a M+A.
Let me point out that these NRSRO firms (Moodies,etc) are essentially ivory tower creations of government law and regulations. If someone floats a bond, for it to be bought and sold one must by law go to one of these government named agencies for a stamp.Or if you are rating agency and you give a AAA to firms owned by the customer that pays you the most.
Part of the problem was people were mistaken in the risk assessed with that kind of debt, mortgage backed securities, an instrument invented by? Fannie & Freddie. Plenty of people have been charged by the SEC for making fraudulent statements about their books. Do you know of someone specifically getting a pass? If so, sure, indict them.Or if you are an investment bank that lies about the amount of debt exposure it has so that the share price rises and people invest their pensions with you.
That's a different subject - regulation. Yes we need regulation. Some regulation. I do not believe that regulation confers faith on its face....Why do we prosecute drunken drivers that didn't crash, why have health inspectors in restaurants, why don't we let power stations run their own safety audits?
Because we need people to have faith in the system.