[pdabbadabba]

> Second, if it comes to "hard-power gatekeepers," $1000-$2000 a months buys you employment of a local toughboy ready to receive punches, and deliver punches for you.

Sure, but at this point isn't your advice just "why not bribe government officials and go to war with the mafia"? Sure, someone could do that. But...maybe we can imagine reasons why they would be reluctant to do so?

One notable failure mode of this strategy would be: mafia guy shows up at your house and hits you with a hammer until you're no longer able to/interested in continuing to pursue this strategy.