Many insiders have learned that the easiest path in dealing with the major reason for failure — agriculture — is to throw more money at voluntary programs that have not worked and disregard regulatory actions. Policymakers, conservation leaders and some scientists have learned that job security, advancement and monetary rewards come from promoting a firehose of dollars to put out the ecological fire, thus avoiding conflict. Too many supposed leaders have become environmental mercenaries who desire to avoid any blowback in pushing for regulatory changes that impede the financial prospects of themselves or their organizations. You will repeatedly hear these environmental mercenaries touting the great successes of the Bay Program.