Quote from Hansel H:
These companies belong to the "too big to fail" class and are therefore more than isolated entities that we can allow to suffer in isolation 'what they so justly deserve'.
Unregulated capitalism doesn't work; it's a naive theory that inevitably leads to the concentration of wealth in the hands of the most unscrupulous. Assigning blame is pointless since the real fault lies in the economic system that gives free rein to the self-serving and irresponsible as well as the well-meaning and productive; in the end, without enforced regulation, those who don't follow any rules will dominate those who do.
Some of the more egregious crooks should be punished, not because they deserve to be, but because we need to demonstrate that we have the power to punish those who compromise our collective interests. It isn't about right and wrong; it's about pragmatism and power. Who must have the power - the people at large or a handful of scheming scamsters who are willing to sabotage the global economy for their own gain?
A massive dose of socialism is now necessary to rescue the economy from the ruination brought about by unrestrained capitalism. If a few CEO's have to be flogged to death in the public square to demonstate the power of the people then so be it.