When Will it All End?

It's always about the money.  Every time and every place.  America's gunnuttery will stop when business balks at the costs.  Aurora's mass murder differs from the Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Gabby Gifford prequels because James Holmes picked a private business filled with paying customers.  Movie theaters across the country will now pay more for security and liability insurance.  I don't know who will cover medical expenses for Friday's injured victims; but, I'm certain that theaters will be held responsible following any copycat attacks.

The gun lobby is successful because they have all the money.  Gun manufacturers, right-wing millionaires, and paranoid anti-government nutters have created a powerful lobbying organization.  No one else comes close.  Moral arguments and public health advocates are overwhelmed.  Michael Moore won a small concession from K-Mart by generating bad publicity for the company.  K-Mart made a business decision  -- the chain stopped selling hand-gun ammunition -- that was motivated entirely by their bottom line.  Morality was not part of the calculation.  


But, now, maybe the slaughter in Colorado will have a positive, lasting consequence.  Gun violence may cost big business some real money.  And, suddenly, supporting the gun nuts might become too damned expensive.  

It's all about the money

Libor, schmibor.  I expect money guys to cheat.  Why not?  When your world is all about money, when your career is defined entirely by the amount of money you make, and when your social status is based on how much money you have, then people will cheat.  The small scale stuff is easy to rationalize.  What's the big deal about diddling Libor by a basis point or two?  Do a favor for a friend who will make money today.  He owes you one.  Right?  Hey, it's easy money.  No one's going to notice.  


Now, move from the global casino of world finance into a real casino.  You're going to be watched very carefully.  Sit down to play blackjack, and you are on TV.  You better keep your cards on the table top.  Move them to your lap, and somebody is going to remind you about the rules.  If you transgress a second time, you will be told to cash in your chips and leave.  Don't come back. 
  
Some guy starts getting lucky at poker.  Expect him and the dealer to get plenty of attention from house security.  In a real casino, winning too often, beating the odds, isn't a sign of vast intellect and financial prowess; it's a red flag.  Bernie Madoff could never have made a nickel on a casino floor.  He knew it, too.  Cheating at cards is for chumps.  Real money comes when no one can watch too carefully or when the watchers sell their silence.  


So, all I ask is that the Wall Street honchos holding my retirement funds and mortgage and bank account get the same attention given to the poor bastards in one of the casinos up the road.