Jon's Reviews > Predator Nation: Corporate Criminals, Political Corruption, and the Hijacking of America
Predator Nation: Corporate Criminals, Political Corruption, and the Hijacking of America
by Charles Ferguson
by Charles Ferguson
"Forgive me," Charles Ferguson said when presented with an Oscar for Inside Job. "I must start by pointing out that three years after our horrific financial crisis caused by financial fraud, not a single financial executive has gone to jail, and that's wrong."
When Ferguson said those words I wanted him to name names. Who deserves jail time, and how is he sure of it? In Predator Nation Ferguson answers those questions. Here are two names, just as a teaser: Angelo Mozilo, who cut special loans for Congressmen to win support for his company, Countrywide, and Jimmy Cayne, former CEO of Bear Stearns, who, among other things, is a known pot chain smoker. (Go ahead and type Jimmy Cayne in the search bar and the second suggestion shows "Jimmy Cayne pot." And yet we arrest low-class pot smokers?)
I agree with Ferguson's premise that if we could jail some of the obviously corrupt individuals we would prevent some of the future disasters headed our way. The 2008 crash just proved that they can cheat and get away with it, which will certainly leave a blight on our future.
I'll include Ferguson's final lines here (spoiler alert!), because it has stuck with me. I share his hope:
"America is a remarkable and beautiful country in so many ways. I hope that somewhere in the United States is a courageous young leader in the making, someone who can persuade the American people to rise up and throw the rascals out."
When Ferguson said those words I wanted him to name names. Who deserves jail time, and how is he sure of it? In Predator Nation Ferguson answers those questions. Here are two names, just as a teaser: Angelo Mozilo, who cut special loans for Congressmen to win support for his company, Countrywide, and Jimmy Cayne, former CEO of Bear Stearns, who, among other things, is a known pot chain smoker. (Go ahead and type Jimmy Cayne in the search bar and the second suggestion shows "Jimmy Cayne pot." And yet we arrest low-class pot smokers?)
I agree with Ferguson's premise that if we could jail some of the obviously corrupt individuals we would prevent some of the future disasters headed our way. The 2008 crash just proved that they can cheat and get away with it, which will certainly leave a blight on our future.
I'll include Ferguson's final lines here (spoiler alert!), because it has stuck with me. I share his hope:
"America is a remarkable and beautiful country in so many ways. I hope that somewhere in the United States is a courageous young leader in the making, someone who can persuade the American people to rise up and throw the rascals out."
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