I am good that money made from Madoff's ponzi scheme is being returned to folks that lost money in the scheme — but who decides who is worthy of being paid back? 

Think about it.  Many of the Madoff investors were being paid a big return on money they had invested — they knew something wasn't right because their rate of return was double and triple industry averages, and there was never a loss.  So many of these investors KNEW they were getting 'funny money' and were complicit in the arrangement.  So when they lose millions, should we be so sympathetic evenly across the board?

Have to take the hard route on this one — some of the folks that will now get back 50 cents on their dollar lost are not deserving of it and I'd rather see some investors get back more.  I suspect it would be difficult to figure out who should get more, but I bet it can be done.  Take a look at the long-term investor who received 15% return per quarter for a while — that guy has made out without questioning where this Madoff moron was getting the money from.  (Betting he had an idea but was quite happy with the arrangement.)  Likely that the newest investors were the most harmed as they had yet to receive payouts, I suggest they get 100% refund. 

Sorry you others, you must have figured it out over time that you were making out pretty well.  Oh, and happy holidays.

I know you've missed me — but why didn't you write me?  I've been off the grid fro over a month and not one of you has so much as e-mailed me with a "hey, you okay?" message.  I'm hurt and I'm upset.  Mom, dad, what do you have to say for yourselves?  (And I don't want to hear the same excuse, "We're 80 years old, we don't know how to use e-mail.")