Be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They need something to threaten you with to rob you and others

Speaking of the BP oil spill

"What do you get when you cross a long drug habit, a quick temper and a gun? The answer is two life terms for murder, earliest release date 2026. On the other hand, what do you get when you cross two nation states, a large corporation, three tons of poison and 8,000 dead human beings? The answer is, retirement with full pay and benefits."

Romans 13:4
⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

At what point does a structure of power stop being an authority and start being a gangster?