On the other hand, the public comments system is entertaining, compelling and, unlike the Man Booker, transparent.

FORBES: Not The Booker's Sam Jordison Considers Self-Publishing Award

Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, told BBC Radio Wales the non-declaration of donations was a "huge cock up" but there was "no question at all about Peter Hain being a man of integrity and transparent honesty".

BBC: Hain to list all campaign donors

However awkward it may have been for the man whose neighbor was running for office, this system made vote counting transparent and did not require voters to read or write.

FORBES: Elections Old And New

Mr. Madoff's many honorable and accomplished clients chose to deal with their man outside the institutional checks that come from, say, a heavily regulated bank or a highly transparent mutual fund, perhaps one whose parent is also publicly traded and doubly subject to the checks of a watchful stock market.

WSJ: Put Madoff In Charge of Social Security