It's Not Something To Be Happy About Or Even Proud Of

[Boats]

CORRUPTION IN POLITICS - HOW WIDESPREAD?
By: U.S. Dept. of Justice - Office of Justice Programs - 06-04-73
Re: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-li...how-widespread

NCJ Number 64653
Journal US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT Volume: 74 Dated: (JUNE 4, 1973) Pages: 20,22-23
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published 1973 (written 47 years ago)
Length 3 pages
Annotation
NUMEROUS CASES OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION FOR PERSONAL GAIN AT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS ARE DESCRIBED TO EXPLAIN THE GROWING PUBLIC DISTRUST OF POLITICIANS IN GENERAL.

Abstract

A BROAD SURVEY BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT INDICATES A GROWING PUBLIC CYNICISM ABOUT POLITICIANS. THE WATERGATE AFFAIR, CRIMINAL CASES INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN BIG CITIES AND IN STATE GOVERNMENTS, AND CASES INVOLVING FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE ALL FUELED THIS CYNICISM. IN 1972, SEVERAL FORMER CONGRESSMEN PLEADED GUILTY TO OR WERE CONVICTED OF ACCEPTING ILLEGAL GRATUITIES WHILE IN OFFICE, TAKING BRIBES, OR EVADING TAXES. ALTHOUGH SOME EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT THE CRIME RATE IN GOVERNMENT IS REASONABLY SMALL, CRIME BY POLITICIANS IS NOW SURFACING BECAUSE OF GREATER ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS. RECENT SCANDALS HAVE INVOLVED A FORMER ILLINOIS GOVERNOR, A NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND A NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATE. THREE NEW JERSEY POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN INDICTED OR CONVICTED ON CONTRACT-FIXING CHARGES. IN OTHER STATES, LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIAL OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR BRIBERY AND CONSPIRACY. STUDIES OF MISCONDUCT SHOW THAT VENALITY RANGES FROM PETTY ACTIONS TO MAJOR PLUNDERING OF PUBLIC FUNDS. ABUSES INCLUDE RIGGED TAX ASSESSEMENTS, DIVERSION OF CITY FUNDS TO REAL ESTATE SPECULATION, VOTING FRAUDS, SALE OF TAX DELINQUENT LANDS TO POLITICAL CRONIES AT BARGAIN PRICES, AND DISGUISING OF PLEASURE TRIPS AS OFFICIAL TRAVEL. TO COMBAT CORRUPTION, CONGRESS HAS PASSED LAWS TO CURB ABUSES IN CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURES AND TO GRANT IMMUNITY TO THOSE TESTIFYING ABOUT CORRUPT PRACTICES. CANONS OF ETHICS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR FEDERAL JUDGES. LEAA HELPS FINANCE STATE CRIME FIGHTING AGENCIES IN THEIR WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION. OTHER LEGISLATION BEING PROPOSED WOULD REQUIRE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY OFFICEHOLDERS AND PROHIBIT DIRECT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LOBBYISTS. PHOTOGRAPHS OF OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN SCANDALS ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)
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Note: that's 47 years ago - its most likely alot worse since then.
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Still applicable - but never challenged with any success. The
Supreme Court has also changed and favors one or more
leadership's - while in office - for a lifetime.
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My thoughts;
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The two party system manipulates the issues to favor - one or the
other party - based on applicable head counts of each House & Senate.
Any new rules have to be approved by the Supreme Court (but not sure?)
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Each parties pursation is for different principles - and the majority
of each party can 'yea or nay' of such changes based on votes. Hence
stalemate. Corruption goes deep into our politics - those in office will
clearly denie any wrong doing - until caught. They don't always
play by the rules - or what those issues really mean to them - or by
it's passage. It's like a poker game - you call the bluff - it's either
hold or fold - and that happens alot - in Congress.
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We are not a unified country except during wartimes. As for the
People's of this Nation - they are not getting their monies worth
from the White House or Congress - hence the issues we see
today have jimmy'ed the process - and the media helps play along
with the issues - and moreso - if it also impacts them!
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Money talks & bullshit walks - and it happens 24/7 in Congress.
(regardless of the party). Compromise seldom comes into play.
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This is where we are today - and have been for sometime. The Congress
caters to the party in power - they then re-write the rules - and the people
get nada!
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Voting rights and privileges are being tampered with. Money today is
buying voters and those running for office to support those who want
favors - once in office. It's not about us - its about the power of money
that drives our system. Promises made & broken come with penalities.
Corruption in politic's runs deep and but its packed with money during
the process. It's always money - not the ideals - but position and money
(even the dark money is welcome it seems).
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This is only my up todate view of the political system and its not what
we all expected. Their performance is poor and their ideals are to
profit from their benefactor's.
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