Did Justice lull a bunch of criminals into complacency, only to start bringing the hammer down now?

[Scuba]

After five years, the Obama administration does not have an illustrious track record when it comes to bringing corporations, crooked politicians and their crooked donors to justice. Eric Holder has come under heavy criticism for going soft on bankers and other white collar criminals, despite mountains of evidence of wrongdoing. There haven't been any huge Abscam-like stings of corrupt politicians.

Now, early in 2014, we see Christie, McRory, Walker and other powerful Republican politicians under investigation. We're seeing agreements with the Swiss and Caymanians for access to bank account information. We're even seeing the heat being turned up on Freedom Industries, Patriot Coal and other polluters. (What? No Star Spangled Frackers?)

Suddenly, pot is OK, and the focus seems to be shifting to politicians, PACs and their dirty money. The arrogance of the perpetrators is legendary. I can't believe they haven't left a trail that any competent investigator could follow.

Here's hoping Justice has been carefully building the cases and is ready to bring indictments, particularly against those who are undermining our democracy. I'd like to see them brought to justice, and the timing couldn't be better.

[justhanginon]

1. I certainly hope you are right.

I think it would help the general morale of the whole country, except the 1%, to see some of these thieves, crooked pols and assorted other scum bags brought down. They have gotten away with trashing this country to satisfy their greed for far too long.
"Hope springs eternal".
Thank you to whomever for the heart.

[TheMathieu]

2. It's certainly promising.

America's political landscape looks like the aftermath a sanitation strike right now.

[Cha]

3. Good..

analogy.

[Distant Quasar]

4. "those who are undermining our democracy"

I can hardly think of a better way to describe our attorney general, who places bank executives above the rule of law and thinks secret death sentences issued by the president with no judicial involvement represent "due process" - because, you know, there's a process. The best thing he could do for democracy is leave office tomorrow.

[diane in sf]

5. that would be nice, I hope it's so.

[okaawhatever]

6. the DOJ has accomplished much more than they're given credit for. One of the reasons

you're seeing action on the bank side is because of the passage of Dodd-Frank. Now the rules have changed and with a lower burden of proof for some liability laws Holder was able to extract an extremely rare admission of guilt from Chase. Also a record settlement, and they weren't released from criminal liability so if the FBI comes up with something they can still be charged.

There's a lot more going on that people are giving Holder or Obama credit for. It's pretty encouraging, but most of the laws need to be re-written. We don't have an effective way to charge top CEO's criminally for crimes.