Peter Dreir, Clapp Distinquished Professor of Politics, at Occidental College, and author of Social Justice Hall of Fame, pens a poignant call for a more even application of justice in his highly recommended and thought=provoking blog, General Motors: Another Slap on the Wrist for a Crime in the Suites.
Peter Dreir's essay brims with so many excellent quotes and paragraphs that to try to summarize it would be more than a shame, but an "injustice" to his excellent writing. Go read it and enjoy. His opening quotes and line are so noteworthy that I will use up my three paragraphs of "fair use" before even getting to his sold data filled substantive paragraphs.
In 1895, Eugene V. Debs -- the patriotic labor leader, socialist, and five-time presidential candidate -- observed: "There is something wrong in this country; the judicial nets are so adjusted as to catch the minnows and let the whales slip through."
In that regard, our justice system hasn't changed that much in the 119 years since Debs uttered those words. We spend many more resources policing and prosecuting crime in the streets than crime in the suites, even though corporate crime is much more costly in terms of death, injury and disease.
If you need evidence of this double standard, look no farther than how the federal government has "punished" General Motors for failure to provide timely information about mishandling its recall of about 2.5 million cars with a defective ignition switches that the company has linked to 13 deaths.
But until some top GM executives enter a prison cell, and/or have to personally pay fines that put a huge dent in their own wealth, it will be difficult to say that General Motors has made restitution for the harm it caused and been forced to change the way it does business in the future.
I could have highlighted every paragraph in this outstanding essay, and might write two more reviews of it so I can. Unless I played the cheesy game of claiming his first quote, is a hundred year old public domain quote that shouldn't count, and hope Dreir will not track me down, because we are on the same team and I'm sending him readers. I'd still feel cheesy. So please just go read this excellent article based on my recommendation. Heck, why do you need teasers, when has the HoundDog ever steer you wrong?
Dang, this article makes me wish I were back in the days of college when one could have a professor like Peer Drier, and spend the whole day reading fantastic articles, thinking fascinating thoughts, having sex all day, and eating fine food, without a care in the world ... wait a minute ... that's what I do now! (humor alert. Just kidding. I have a very tough life as all of your know. )