I'm really having a hard time understanding what is so difficult about the concept that when there is sufficient evidence of the commission of crimes, that those alleged crimes should be fully investigated and prosecuted.
The more I read about the Federal government's attempt at covering up what are clearly violations of the law by banks, the more perplexed I get. The Huffington Post is reporting that:
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday was kicked off the committee leading the 50-state task force charged with probing foreclosure abuses and negotiating a possible settlement agreement with the nation's five largest mortgage firms, according to an email reviewed by The Huffington Post.
The purported reason this task force wants to reach a quick settlement with the criminal banks is because for a price, "the banks [would be] providing distressed homeowners with reduced monthly payments, lower mortgage principal amounts or other relief..."
Apparently they are offering to pay (bribe) the federal government up to $30 billion "to be used to allow troubled borrowers to remain in their homes or to help others move into rentals... in exchange for a release from liability for past illegal actions."
I mean, these alleged crimes are very serious. Shouldn't the impetus be on abiding by the rule of law? Of following the evidence to whenever it may lead, and to prosecute and punish those found to be criminally culpable?
Top Obama administration officials recently reached out to Schneiderman and his allies, effectively requesting he get in line, people familiar with the discussions said. The New York Times editorial board on Tuesday declared that Schneiderman "should stand his ground in not supporting the deal."
Also according to the New York Times, the supposed reason for the settlement, which the administration says is to help homeowners, could be achieved in other ways:
The administration should pursue principal reductions for stressed borrowers, and it could do so immediately by calling on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance the underwater loans of borrowers who are current in their payments. What it shouldn’t do is pretend that the proposed settlement is the only — or best — way to get quick relief to homeowners.
And this is all happening at the same time that, also according to the New York Times, "Experts estimate that four-fifths of low-income people have no access to a lawyer when they need one."
By now everybody is coming to the realization that apparently there are two systems of justice in the United States: one for the rich, who commit crimes with impunity; and one for everybody else. But making it this obvious, this in-your-face, is now getting to the level of taunting the people.