You are correct. Unfortunately in many sectors in the US that's not what's happening. Of course, it's not true across the board. There are exceptions, like the NTSB. But then the NTSB can only make recommendations, and it's enforcement counterparts, like the FAA, have no teeth. The FAA is now in essence run by the airlines the agency is supposed to regulate.

And until enough blood is spilled, this will continue

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 13 hours ago

i think you might have completely misread my comment, regulatory capture is intentional and symbiotic.

the regulators let the corporations poison the groundwater, and in turn the corporations give the regulators a rusty trombone.