[thelastguy]

>they clearly aren't rational or else they'd realize a few thousand a week isn't worth life in prison.

Actually, they are pretty rational. You can't say no to the boss. You say no to the boss, you die. So they either deliver that drug, or die. They choose to deliver the drug, even if it means getting caught and doing life in prison. That's better than the boss killing you for not delivering the drug.

>The criminals shooting at each other weekly...

Again, they're not being irrational here. If you don't shoot, the other guy will shoot you. You either shoot, or you die because the other guy shoots you.