WHITE-COLLAR CRIME

[UdoKier]

Is white-collar crime a lesser crime than purse-snatching or bank robbery?

Here's the scenario:

A Yuppie analyst making six figures at a brokerage firm embezzles $200,000 per year of investors funds for 5 years for a total of $1 mil stolen.

Is his crime more or less heinous than the street punk who knocks down an old lady and steals her purse?

[mark11727]

1. Street punk knocks down Yuppie ---

steals his million dollars, then has the book thrown at him.

[realisticphish]

5. what if the punk takes the money

and gives it to the old lady :shrug:


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[mark11727]

10. ...only in a Frank Capra movie, I'm sorry to say.

Robin the Street Punk takes from Yuppies and gives to Little Old Ladies.

[UdoKier]

2. I say the yuppie. He's abusing his privilege and position of trust.

Two things the street punk probably never had a chance at...

[Union Thug]

3. Definately punish the white collar guy MORE HARSHLY

Enron execs destroyed the lives of HOW MANY people in one fell swoop? My dad's friend offed himself after losing his entire retirement because of these guys.

The yup has had more opportunity for an education, and a better opportunity for financial success. As such, I say ax these bastards harshly. In fact, although I am anti-death penalty, since we have it, I say we should start thinking about putting it to good use. Corporate felons would be a good place to start.

[DireStrike]

4. White collar crime affects more people in the end.

Each individual crime, that is. Not (necessarily) the phenomenon as a whole.

[Cobalt Violet]

6. Knocking down and old lady is a violent crime.

Both are criminals that should be dealt harshly with.

I think anyone who violently preys on the elderly is extremely dangerous. We have to protect our elderly with all we have. It's our responsiblity.
I love the elderly and they are a very vulnerable population. Many, many, many die from simple falls. To push one down to steal $5.00 is just a much worse crime. It just is to me.

[ieoeja]

7. Is a violent crime worse than a non-violent crime?

I would consider that rhetorical question. On DU it's legitimate poll.

[UdoKier]

8. I understand your point.

and I respect the position. I deliberately said "knocked down" rather than "stabbed", to give it an element of ambiguity.

If I were to make it "Shoplifting some cigarettes and beer", I think 99% would oick the yuppie (unless we were polling a Freerepublic crowd, who would probably think that "the yuppie was entitled to the money by virtue of his being a white male, and besides, the invested money probably belonged to some liberal, New Deal-era old people!"

[Cobalt Violet]

9. There I go again with my Liberal Massachusetts values.

I'm so out of touch aren't I. :D

At least in our party we don't have to march in lock step on every issue.

[UdoKier]

11. kick

kick