BLINDING FLASHES OF OBVIOUS!!!

I just figured something out. It's so obvious. Now. But maybe I am cynical. Those who know me can stop laughing now. Darn it, I am serious.

Here it is: somewhere in the bowels of a car company, sits a guy (usually) who knows TO THE PENNY the warranty costs of the cars this auto maker produces.

Blinding flash: All IMPROVEMENTS the car builder makes are to lower that number. Not to better serve the public.

Now over here is the marketing team... the ones who tell you the wonders of the amazing improvements they've made so you can drive around town in the latest model humpmobile. But you never ever see the dark secret of the speed of greed... aka FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY.
More crap happens excused by those two words. They're like a laxative to a CEO conscience.

Want more? Cynic?

Okay. I'm generous.

The GIFT CARD you buy someone - you know, the credit limit is $10, whatever... somewhere deep in the bowels of the coffee company or bookstore chain sits a guy who knows TO THE PENNY the amount of money FOUND when those cards are never fully cashed in, or lost. It's a PROFIT CENTER!

The HOLE IN ONE tournament promises a million dollars. The sponsors took an insurance policy against paying you. They do want you to win, but on the insurance company's bad luck. And you'll probably be paid in an annuity because you can buy one that pays over 20 years for a fraction of the face value.

REBATE COUPONS. Somewhere in the large intestines of the issuing company sits a guy who knows TO THE PENNY how many people lose their receipt, forget to fill out the paperwork, or send it in too late.

My digital camera just broke. A week out of warranty. But wait, a silver lining. Turns out my credit card company adds a year's coverage. Sure, you have to hoop jump, but hey, might be worth it.

Somewhere in the credit card company company gut sits a guy who invents hoops and knows TO THE PENNY...