ABSTRACT
How often does one hear it said, "In the United States, if a problem appears, all we ever seem to do is pass a new law"? In some cases this complaint may imply that the speaker has an alternative approach in mind. But in many situations what seems to be meant is that we are wont to pass laws and then lose interest in the results. What is missing in such situations is a commitment of resources to checking up on whether those covered by the law and regulations are doing (or not doing) what is required of (or forbidden to) them—this is monitoring; and to taking actions that force violators to mend their ways and that provide visible examples to encourage others in the regulated population to maintain desired behavior to avoid a similar fate—this is enforcement.
