--President Barack Obama, January 11, 2009

What if, instead of sentencing Bernie Madoff today to spend the rest of his life in prison, a judge decided that we should let the criminal mastermind "move forward" and enjoy his golden years? After all, he's already been publicly disgraced, no one will ever trust him with their investments again, so what harm could possibly come from freeing him?

There would rightfully be a public...