accountability and consequences-prequil

While I was writing the previous post (and resolving to write more in 2012--LOL), I developed some content and ideas about how little accountability exists in our institutions and culture in general. People behaving badly or merely behaving with a lack of competence and foresight expect few if any consequences. This perverse pattern extends to Washington, Wall Street, Banking and other corporate environments, not to mention trade organizations, non profits and even to individuals. Trickle down theory is pervasive!

Abject disasters, such as the diverse and global mortgage meltdown, are dismissed with a simple "gee, who woulda thought?" Then, the perpetrators generally continue on down the crooked path smiling at the 99% over their shoulders. Why is this happening?

The answer isn't simple and it extends back thousands of generations to the beginnings of humankind. I'll refrain from mentioning the facial similarities between some subjects testifying in Congressional hearings to artistic renderings of pre Homo sapiens taxa!

Assuming I have the patience to get the hip boots out and wade through the muck, the remainder of the exposition will involve regulations, generally accepted standards of practice, regulators, regulatees, the "public" (remember them?) and accountability in a one size fits all world. Real estate is right there rolling around in the swamp with the rest of the luminaries, so check back for the next installment of Muck Wrestling 101.