Qui Bono?
What Cassius was getting at with the simple question of "Qui Bono?" is who benefits from an outcome? By and large, purposeful decisions over time result in outcomes. You study hard in high school, go to college, get a good job, further your education, etc. Generally you turn out with a decent outcome. Same with investing. If you start young and are diligent and have some luck along the way you generally compound your money over time. The LA Fires are an outcome.
Much will be written and hopefully studied during the autopsy of these fires. A "blue-ribbon" panel would be welcome. There are many important questions that need answers from Gov Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
Having the courage to ask "Qui Bono?" is an important first step, whether you are evaluating a business deal, looking at an investment or in this case trying to understand an outcome like the LA Fires. LA, California, and yes US citizen taxpayers will be (not "could be" or "may be") on the hook for billions of dollars. We deserve better than the LA Fires outcome.
The challenge of asking "Qui Bono?" aloud is there are many intellectually weak and morally bankrupt individuals who will instinctively label you a "conspiracy theorist" or worse. Hold your head up high and ask away, this isn't China. Very apropos for the LA Fires oddly though, in an almost mystical way calling back from the past some 50 years ago, is the required viewing of "Chinatown." Test your metal like Jake Gittes and follow the money...it will lead to the truth, perhaps one as Californians we do not want to admit.