You have to understand, that men like this, are kings of their domains. They dont see a threat the way you and I might. They only see potential threats as obstacles, while they reign as goads on Earth. That is the life.

That is true. You see it in a deleted scene in II in which Neri moves Klingman out of his hotel. Klingman is indignant: "Who do you think you're talking to?" And, "You can't come in here and talk to an owner like that." Geary is another example. Like every other Nevadan at that time who had two or more generations in the state, he thought he was beyond any laws--could patronize a brothel without worrying about his reputation, squeeze the "outsiders" and seem as if he were keeping his state "clean."

Another perfect example: In "Casino," County Commissioner Pat Webb (L.Q. Jones) callls on casino manager Ace Rothstein (DeNiro) to insist that his incompetent brother in law be reinstated in a "juiced-in" casino job. When Rothstein refuses, Webb says: "You people will never understand that you're here at our invitation. And I can send you back where you came from even if I have to harelip the governor." And he managed to put Rothstein in the Black Book.

Just a quick aside TB... I always thought that was really stupid how Rothstein handled that and wasn't at all how Vito would have done it. Webb asks for the moon (The brother-in-law reinstated to the same job) which Rothstein properly denies.

Webb chuckles and agrees that the fellow really is incompetent and reduces his request to some other job. Rothstein still refuses.

I thought he missed an opportunity to make a friend of the commissioner. He had already made his point. With the second refusal he left Webb no way out. I don't think that's how Vito would have handled it. Always leave the other guy something on the table...