Many many wise words have you uttered down the years Tim, and few more than that last post.
(Some may feel the whole exercise was worth it if only to apparently silence Hand Solo and his ilk!)
More seriously though, as usual you make an exceptionally valid point: quite apart from the unquantifiable effects of the loss of credibility, just how much real money has this ridiculous posturing cost us?
As for paying with their jobs, there is no responsibility ever taken by those in positions of responsibility any more......unless you're a pilot.....