Financial crisis is crime against us all

An article in the Oct. 20 Daily Herald confirmed that not only Freddie Mac's upper management team, but also members of the Senate were actively involved in the plan to defraud, steal and manipulate the entire structure of the financial arena.

At the expense of the taxpayers, these crooks have fattened their already overpaid salaries and contributed not only to the collapse of the economy, but also to the destruction of hope and trust in the American dream.

My question is this: Since this monumental farce was perpetuated against the American public for the sole purpose of a greedy and unethical few, why is there any doubt as to whether they can be held accountable for their actions?

Theft is a crime and should be not only punished, but restitution should be made to the suffering population.

Unethical and self-serving actions on the part of our elected representatives should be fully exposed and they should be immediately removed from office.

I would hope there are still some decent and honest people in our government and also in some of the big businesses, but it seems more difficult each election to figure out who these people are so they can be elected.

Is it too much to ask that the people we select to represent us use good common sense, be frugal, honest and ethical so that our debt can be reduced and the future has some hope?

Is it too much to ask that CEOs settle for pay that reflects their worth instead of walking away with millions from companies that they have led to bankruptcy and ruin, leaving employees without jobs and benefits?

If we could do these things, we might have a chance of coming out of this sometime in the future.

If we cannot, we will have effectively destroyed the very basic fabric of the American dream. God save America!

Peggy Burzinski

Arlington Heights