I am not sure I agree with the entire USA Today editorial, but I do agree with this point:
WorldCom plans to emerge from bankruptcy protection this fall with a new name — MCI — and most of its debts wiped off the books. Rival telecommunication companies say that will give WorldCom a substantial advantage over them, since they still have to cover heavy debt burdens when setting prices. [“$500 million Wrist Slap”]
WorldCom’s assets should have been sold to the highest bidder–and the proceeds used to pay off its debts. To do anything less is to violate the principle that “companies that commit grand theft shouldn’t be rewarded for their crimes.”