It's all about making the money now as opposed what's best in the long run.  That's why our highways are so terrible and so expensive because no one wants to put money into doing it right the first time but seem to have no problem in putting money into it constantly.  If more people had their focus on the long-term goal and not worry about making big bucks right now, our society would be much better off.  If not for oil companies worrying about today's profits, we'd all be driving cost-effective, efficient electric cars today.

Unfortunately, software development isn't much different.  Whatever is easiest to patch now, not rewrite bad code, and quickest and most profitable to ship out the door today is always considered over long-term benefits. (sigh)