Is this REGULATION or ENABLEMENT?

[metapunditedgy]

My kid is selling lemonade on a very hot day. Neighbor Jones comes by and asks, "How much for a cup of lemonade?"

My kid says, "Well, since I'm the only lemonade-seller around, it's $10, but I'll throw in the cup for free."

Neighbor Jones hands over $10, but when he goes to drink the lemonade, he finds that it's actually a big cup of mud.

Angry, Jones calls me to complain. I go to my kid, raise my eyebrows sternly at him, and tell him that I'm going to set an example by punishing him. He must immediately give me $0.50 of his ill-gotten profits. The kid does, and I call Jones to tell him that lessons have been learned, and he should feel comfortable buying lemonade again.

Am I (primarily) a regulator, or an enabler? (Let's ignore the fact that regulators can also be enablers.)

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Back story:

Robert Khuzami, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement "This settlement is a stark lesson to Wall Street firms that no product is too complex, and no investor too sophisticated, to avoid a heavy price if a firm violates the fundamental principles of honest treatment and fair dealing."

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2010/2010-123.htm

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Sounds like the kid has a great future at Comca$t

You just described exactly how they run their business.

[metapunditedgy]

3. And cell phone service, internet, even professional sports.

If you're not doing something illegal in every transaction, you're not maximizing your profits.

[blindpig]

2. Regulation pretty much is enablement when it comes to Capital.

Regulation is a chimera, it is naught but and obstacle to be overcome in the pursuit of profits.

After 100 years of attempted regulation we are sliding towards that Gilded Age ideal, the privatization of everything.

Kill Capitalism