Getting Away With It

From the O.J. Simpson trial and verdict forward, it seems to me, this nation operated, in policy and pragmatically, as if to test the limits of what could be gotten away with in every sphere of action - in world affairs, with the dollar, with the personal conduct of the President, on Wall Street (considered globally) in matters of private and public deportment and taste.

From O.J. to September 11 the point of a well-judged American life had largely ceased to be truth or beauty or decency or fair play or a better world or a better mousetrap, it was about getting away with it and how much, and getting caught didn't matter so why not take the chance?
Michael Thomas, New York Observer