The name Bernie Madoff is synonymous with “schemer” or “swindler.” He operated the largest financial fraud in the history of the United States. For decades he kept his own dream alive by convincing people his situation was something it really wasn’t.

Madoff’s con and his theft of more than $18 billion of investors’ money was accomplished by masterful deception. He established a reputation in great part due to titles. His bio claimed his firm was essential in the development of the NASDAQ and at one point Madoff served as chairman of the National Association of Securities Dealers.

These titles leant credibility and people assumed he was credible and competent.

In reality Madoff took in billions on investment and issued reports indicating the value of those investments was soaring. The reports were a necessary fiction to keep him moving forward.

For nearly two decades complaints were filed, investigations opened and yet Madoff always found a way to escape any responsibility. Eventually it was Madoff’s own family that turned him in. Lots of people were hurt and Madoff is in prison.

Hillary Rodham Clinton makes for an interesting comparison. Like Madoff, the Clinton name immediately raises questions about trustworthiness and like Madoff, she is dependent of convincing people her situation is something it’s not in order to achieve her personal goals.

Like the former chairman of the NASD, Clinton’s reputation is built on titles. It’s an impressive list, including U.S. senator and secretary of state. For some people, her titles lend her credibility. When pressed for accomplishments however, neither position provides much red meat.

Like Madoff, Mrs. Clinton is continually the subject of questions, investigations and alleged misdoings. Thus far she’s been able to evade any responsibility.

It’s the illusion the Clinton team spins about her support in the Democratic Party that may be the most impressive part of the scheme. Where have the overflow crowds been? Why is every appearance choreographed and every person she interacts with hand-picked?

The signs are there … from the half empty rooms to the interactive Twitter “dialogs” that have drawn literally no response. In truth, there is no groundswell for Hillary. There are no huge enthusiastic crowds. Even her husband’s vice president, Al Gore, has been hesitant to endorse her.

The “inevitable” label on Mrs. Clinton’s nomination is, like Madoff’s financial reports, an illusion fabricated to fool the masses.

The question is will the public catch on before she bankrupts her party, and possibly the nation.

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