American business mantra: better to ask for forgiveness after committing the crime, then to ask for permission before. I don't know any major business who does not follow this.
Really? Most big businesses in America devote incredible resources to following the law. Of course there are prominent examples to the contrary, but those are the exceptions, not the norm.
No they devote incredible resources to covering their ass when shit hits the fan. Obviously compliance is another issue entirely. But they are always lobbying hard to get rid of that, until they get rid of it and shit hits the fan again. Ex. Enron.