House arrest for Bernie Madoff is like the house arrest Martha Stewart got. It’s like a vacation in a luxury hotel. This guy has enough money to still get whatever he needs to be comfortable.
In case you aren’t aware, Bernie Madoff is the guy behind the $50 billion Ponzi Scheme that was uncovered in December.
You’re probably thinking I’m giving him the first of the prestigious Weaky awards of 2009 to Madoff because he frauded his investors out of $50 billion and hedge funds lost a bunch of money. Nope.
Okay then maybe he’s getting the non-existent trophy for sending charities packing after they lost all their money. Shnopes.
Well, umm, how about that union of blue collar workers that lost their pension fund because of the scheme? Getting colder.
Maybe it’s because Madoff gave up so easily to save his sons from persecution, allowing them to move on with their lives despite their participation. Niet.
I know! He’s won because he mailed $1 million in jewelry and watches to try and hide it from the people after his money now. Too easy.
In truth these are all good things to write about. But they aren’t deserving of a Weaky. The Weaky is reserved for people that do unbelievable things, they must identify the epitome of stupidity and selfishness. Madoff is awarded the Weaky because he has validated the Jewish stereotype. Let me be clear first, I am not Jewish. I am also not very close to any Jewish folks. I am also not anti-semitic. I have a neutral opinion of the race/religion and choose to judge their people on a case-by-case basis. But society loves stereotypes, and they are often built upon some facts.
The Jews have had a rough few-thousand years. God’s chosen people were given the promised land and then driven away. They got it back in the 1940′s but only after they suffered through the whole Nazi thing. Now they are an isolated people at war with “Palestine” which is essentially every other, race, religion, and population that surrounds Israel. If that weren’t enough, they’ve been persecuted in Russia and the KKK banded together with Neo-Nazis to create an anti-Jew coalition in the United States as well. Everywhere you go, you will find people that hate Jews. Christians can even make a good argument for hating the Jews, since they crucified Jesus (though in their defense they were supposed to per biblical prophesy). Christians don’t normally hate on Jews though. Nevertheless, Jews are also the black sheep of the world, being blamed for the world’s problems ever since that very first Easter weekend.
Stereotypes are based on original truthiness to some aspects. Jews used to be in charge of financial matters back in old Europe, as other religions and ethnic groups were considered untrustworthy of the task. A few bad cookies later Jews are stereotyped as greedy, money grubbing, and cheating bastards. Madoff is all of these. The Great Depression was blamed on the Jews, as there were many of them involved with the crash of 1929. Madoff’s greed, quest for wealth, and his religion are all going to remind people of the old stereotypes. In a time when we’re all looking to point a finger for the current recession, I have no doubt some people will once again turn to God’s chosen people for the black sheep.
So thank you Bernie. Thank you for giving anti-Semites more fuel for their fire. Thank you for giving political cartoonists an excuse to draw an exaggerated nose surrounded by piles of money. Thank you for once again making it harder for your proud race to brush off the ashes of their past. I hope the Jewish Diaspora comes together and collectively ejects you from the religion.
Here is a link to my new favorite (non personal) finance blog’s coverage of the Madoff Scandal. Clusterstock has followed every rumor and bit of news regarding this detestable creature with wit and excellent commentary.
 By The Weakonomist |
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