Really??? This thread / string is absurd.

For someone to ask if America (or any other country) is better off with, or without, organized criminals, demonstrates to me, that person has a complete lack of understanding of civilized, decent community and society.

An attempt to suggest that construction, money lending, casinos and so forth were better off with criminals in charge is also ludicrous.

Is society better with or without crime and criminals? Why not ask if mankind has been better served by Hitler or Jesus / Buddha / Mohammed (pick your deity)?

Idiocy and naivete as its finest.