Another practical matter: the most important thing for a Don is how much money the people under him bring in. Associates and made men bring in money, and to that extent, it doesn't matter a whole lot if the good earner is made or not. Jimmy Burke could never be made because he was Irish, yet he functioned as a crew chief under Paul Vario because he was a good earner. It didn't matter to Vario, or to Burke, for that matter, whether Burke was made or not.

Decades ago, the Don could count on the loyalty of a man he made, and on the made man's respecting of omerta. Now, no one is reliable, made or not. But, some guys would give their left coglione to be made, so the Don can play them--choose who's willing sacrifice more, take greater chances, turn over more money...