Despite Bernie Madoff's 150-year sentence, those he swindled received a far harsher sentence than he did.

Madoff is assured of three squares a day, a roof over his head and medications. He will never have to worry if he can afford to pay a utility bill, pay for a prescription or heat or cool his dwelling.

Some of his victims were very rich and have at least some others assets, but others were middle class and lost everything. Financial recovery is nearly impossible for those who are retirement age or elderly.

Because many charitable organizations invested with him, we'll never know for sure how many people he hurt or devastated.

Madoff's wife, Ruth, recently agreed to give up any claim to $80 million worth of assets so she could keep $2.5 million in cash the couple had (stole would be a better word.)

Instead of jail, why not let the Madoff's live the life many of their victims now have?

Let them find a decent place to live on with their meager Social Security income and buy their groceries with food stamps. Decide which medications they can no longer afford - Medicare does not pay for prescriptions.

Allow them to experience the horror of picking up mail that is filled with bills that are impossible to pay and calls from nasty bill collectors.

In other words - worry how to survive every day. Seems like a better punishment to me. Perhaps, if future Madoffs, know they will inherit the financial ruin they so cavalierly create for others, it will cause them to reconsider, although probably not.

What do you think?

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