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Then how exactly should 'Mr' Madoff be punished? If house arrest in a domicile that approaches Dubai level hotels, and a punitive measures against his assets when he already transferred a substantial amount (including the house) to his spouse, are all that 'Mr' Madoff and his ilk would face, then by all means I should also (as a fund manager) start milking my funds for personal reasons. If all I need to fear is home confinement, some uncomfortable ankle bracelet with a funny flashing light, and the Government taking most of what is left after the transfers and obfuscation, then by all means it makes sense for me to tap into those Funds if I feel the need for a SunSeeker with the latest maritime navigational equipment.

I am cognizant that there are different levels of crime. For instance, killing a person is far greater than jay-walking. I am also fully aware that the legal system has major issues (it doesn't matter where I live or you live ...a lot of the drug case criminals in the penal system are minnows at best ....while there are some criminals of note, and others who are truly violent beasts that should be put down, there are many who are just sotty oafs that got nabbed slinging weed by the corner). However, when it comes to 'Mr' Madoff, white-collar crime has been largely ignored in the penal system. While there are cases of people like Skilling getting the full force of the law, for the most part such perps are out in a couple of years ...if they go to jail at all in the first place. Madoff orchestrated the largest private Ponzi scheme in history, and while we may rejoice that a lot of Liberal groups were hurt by it, there were still some charities that got hit. Furthermore, even if EVERYONE who was affected was a stinkin'Lib, it still doesn't take away from the fact that what he did was criminal.

Criminal acts are meant to be punished.

Having a criminal like 'Mr' Madoff stay ina posh house under the guise of 'house arrest' is a sham, and so is severe financial retribution against a person who has already transferred wealth (the 'gentleman' was brazen enough to even try to shunt watches and jewelry even when he was under surveilance ....his moral fibre is basically so worn out he is like a rabid beast at this point).

However, if you don't want to pay for his incarceration (although I am sure most Americans would gladly do so) there is another option ....let him lose in the streets of New York, Miami, or the Twin-Cities. I am certain in a couple of hours he would no longer be a tax burden.

Anyways, seriously, I believe crime should be punished. However, a house stay for several years in a residence that an Emirate Sheik wouldn't mind too much doesn't count as punishment. Particularly when stealing a 50 Dollar jar of bubblegum can get the average Joe thrown in the slammer!