If companies are people too, why aren't banks in jail?

1. 72

   LetitiaFTposted 11 years ago

   If companies are people too, why aren't banks in jail?

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2. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   Because of the greed and corruption on Capitol Hill. Don't think for one moment that these politicians aren't bought and paid for by these banks lobbyists. Very sad predicament, But it's the one we are in.

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3. 60

   Articulate97posted 11 years ago

   I have held the view for many years, that Bankers manipulate peoples accounts including the manipulation of products which are promoted to Clients to maximise their Profits and extend their Balance Sheet with sizable returns. Of course upon a daily basis they employ hundreds of people in Big Sheds watching peoples Accounts and are poised ready for 5.30pm to switch all balances into one pot of Money to go straight onto the Money Market to exchange currency to show a returned interest rate for themselves. They then have the audacity to charge interest on all overdrawn accounts eccessively. They are NOT to be trusted under any circumstances. Furthermore, it is wise to spread any wealth across multiple Bank Accounts with Alternative Banks, as much as practically possible.  The less a Bank knows about the trends developed by a Customer - the better!!

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4. 66

   LandmarkWealthposted 11 years ago

   It is a figure of speech.  Corporations are simply a collection of people.  Sometimes a large collection and sometimes small S-Corps.  The point is that whatever hurts the company will simply be passed on to those employed there and eventually the consumer whom they service.  When a company goes out of business it clearly effects the lives of the employees.  When a company is doing well and expanding, they commonly hire more people to service the need from increased aggregate demand.  There is a simbient like relationship.  Two attempt to seperate the two is some mythical utopia that many politicians like to perpetuate to demonize profitable entities.  When in fact if a company is highly profitable and does so within the confines of the law, this should be applauded rather than demonized.  Only a profitable entity creates new employment.  Those same profits in public entities are passed on to shareholders, which in large numbers are pension funds, education endowments, 401k plans, charitable giving trusts...etc
   
   While a company can't be put in Jail, employees can be.  Many officers of companies have been imprisoned for illegal activity. Ask Dennis Koslowski from Tyco.  However, a company can be fined.  That is common as well.  Sometimes rightfully so and sometimes as a form of extortion.
   
   To single out banks is a convienent scape goat in the recent financial crisis.  However, let us not forget that it was the Federal Gov't that manipulated the housing market for more than 30 years.  Particularly the last 2 decades in the MBS market through artificial demand and liquidity created by the GSE's and produced this unsustainable housing bubble.  They bought up anything the banks would issue until the GSE's collapsed.  Then blamed the banks for issuing the securities that the Federal Gov't told them to issue so they could buy them up.  All to support the false notion that everyone should own a home, regardless of financial resources or personal responsibility.

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      Casimiroposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In the U.S. it is no longer a figure of speech. The Supreme Court decision on Citizens United said corporations have the right to free speech and thus can make *unlimited* political contributions.  It's completely warped the electoral process.

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   2. 66

      LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't see that as warped.  They are a colection of people with positons they want represented no different than private unions.  They're positions can be affected by the populaton as well.  If you don't like a stance boycott their products.

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5. 60

   maomao198xposted 11 years ago

   That's easy. You can't say you really believe that all the guilty people will end up in jail. Fairness and justice are always relative.

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   Garifaliaposted 11 years ago

   Probably because companies are run by little people who are ruled by wealthy tyrants who pull the strings any which way they see fit.
   
   It reminds me of "absolute power corrupts absolutely"

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