Shhhh: Congress's plan to tax AIG bonuses quietly disappears

The AIG scandal, however, reflects a common pattern on Capitol Hill.

Here’s how these brushfires usually unfold: A scandal breaks in the media, the public is outraged, congressional recriminations follow, wealthy men in suits testify under oath about their sins, pledges to reform are made, bills are introduced.

And then … everyone moves on to the next outrage.