I believe that this attitude is a result of generations of training (largely driven by white-collar types.)  Fact is, most white-collar crime results in massive levels of suffering spread across many individuals while most run-of-the-mill crime is very limited in this respect.  If anything white-collar types should get even more harsh sentences for their crimes than common thugs for this reason.  At least that's the way I see it intellectually, though I have the same bias as everyone else so it's a strain to believe this.  One way or another, harsher punishments for white-collar crime would make it less common.  And as with anyone, if you can't do the time don't do the crime, and pretty much all white-collar folks have the mental ability to understand the fallout from their activities.  It bothers me greatly that these white collar guys go to minimum security places (for part of the week.)