What Happened to Three Strikes?

The banking giant, HSBC has been in the news a lot lately. They've had to pay fines in the billions over the past few years. And it's upsetting me a bit that this corporate "person" has committed some very serious crimes and for some reason is not subject to the three strikes rule. Don't we still have a three strikes rule? If so, then HSBC should be given a life sentence, by the letter of the law.

Now, I know that an attorney could easily talk his way around that argument in our court system. But I mean to simply state--and there is no way to really overstate--the absurdity of what goes on in our country. Some of the most devastating, horrific and even treasonous crimes have been committed by this corporate "person". But that "person" is still free to exist and carry on as if no crime had been committed because they gave the government a cut of the profits. If you are a flesh and blood person, you are likely to see a much harsher and more permanent application of the law.

What has HSBC done that is so bad?

The Devastating: In it's most recent case, HSBC was fined for illegally foreclosing on 112,000 people's houses. In some of these cases, these practices not only illegally took houses away from decent people and caused them grievous financial harm, but it also helped to further depress the housing market. When the proper title to homes are in question, then title insurance companies are reluctant to insure them, making houses risky and nearly impossible to sell.

[Photo has been pixelated due to the graphic image]
Sign English translation: ATT: EL CHAPO
DO NOT FORGET THAT I AM YOUR FATHER

The Horrific: HSBC laundered drug money for Mexican drug cartels. So, when you hear of all of the people in Mexico who are found brutally murdered, know that HSBC has played a vital role in helping the murderers conduct business.

The Traitorous: HSBC conducted business with Iran that was forbidden due to economic sanctions on the country. Let that sink in for a moment... When the United States and our ally nations were trying to negotiate a deal with Iran to prevent them from being able to build a nuclear weapon, HSBC was undermining the strength of our bargaining position so that they could make a buck. This is not just an offense against the US government, but it is an offense against all of the people of the world.

Republican politicians criticize President Obama saying that the deal with Iran is "weak". President Obama says that the US got the best deal that we could get. But no politician of either party will point the finger at HSBC and say that they were responsible for undermining our position in the negotiations. With HSBC violating the sanctions against Iran, Iran was under less pressure than they would have been. They certainly would have been willing to give up more for relief if HSBC wasn't already providing some relief from the sanctions.

This is one reason why I feel that Bernie Sanders may likely be elected to be our next president. Bernie is running as a Democrat but he is not a Democrat or a Republican. He is an independent and, as such, he is not beholden to the big banks the way politicians in the mainstream parties are. I think people are getting tired of seeing the banks that illegally took their home pay themselves multi-million dollar bonuses and get let off the hook by the politicians who are owned by the banks. When the mortgage crisis was reaching its pinnacle, it was discovered that politicians who were supposed to be keeping an eye on the banks to make sure their operations were above board, were asleep on the job... and getting below market rates on their on personal mortgages from the banks.

Recent polling indicates that 42% of Americans now identify as independents, like Bernie. That is a major shift in demographics that has occurred just within the last few election cycles. Now that independents make up a larger voting bloc than either the Democrats or Republicans, their force may be felt in the 2016 general election. (In many states, independents or other third party voters are barred from participating in primary elections and caucuses.)

I think people are eager for a president, like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who will be tough on the big banks and make sure that the American workers and consumers get a fair deal. Look at all of the presidential candidates other than Bernie Sanders. Have they given any indication that they would be as tough on corporate crimes as FDR? Considering that corporate crime is extremely costly, destructive and nefarious, would citizens be wise not to make it a primary focus of their efforts? Even if the Democratic and Republican Parties assure us that the issue should be ignored?

~R. Charan Pagan
information systems technologist, musician, writer, filmmaker
Los Angeles, CA 90017
http://www.reclaimingourbirthright.blogspot.com/