> The Rich Don't Play by the Rules. So Why Should I?

Many (most?) people who would phrase that question are themselves already among the rich. There's always someone richer to blame; and if you're the richest person in the world there's always the poor who aren't playing by the rules. You can always find an excuse to cheat.

The reason to play by the rules is because society and all individuals end up better if we do so. See the iterated prisoner's dilemma

Nabbing the little guy for show, very much like Henry Hill taking one for Paulie and the gang. The same gang that robbed the Lufthansa vault at JFK Airport, stealing six million dollars in cash and jewelry.

When the history of this administration is written, provided that history itself has not been completely rewritten a la "1984," Goodfellas will be required reading/watching.

And the highly profitable daily mood-induced oil price bets will just be forgotten.

Wilhoit's law.

“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”

https://pylimitics.net/wilhoits-law/

There is always favoritism. This is why I can understand why some people feel compelled to take creative liberties, so to speak. Life is too hard when you're playing by the rules of an inherently rigged or unfair game. If you don't have outlier talent, luck, or connections, you're at a big disadvantage to those who do.

why? they can get away with it, and you can't.