Forum: Current Events
Topic: The Costs of Public Corruption
started by: alcitizens

Posted by alcitizens on Feb. 03 2016,4:58 pm
Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities. Corruption gives unfair advantages to those willing to break the law: public officials, their relatives and friends, and those who willingly pay bribes to gain public contracts and other government actions. But there are many victims: both those who are shaken down for bribes and kickbacks, and the members of the general public, who pay for corruption through inflated costs and loss of faith in government. With tightening budgets throughout all levels of government, vigorous enforcement is even more important than ever.

Millions of taxpayer dollars are paid out on contracts and other government benefits steered by public officials to insiders who, in turn, shower financial benefits on those public officials and their associates.

Corruption can also change the face of a community. Over and over, for several decades, some Chicago aldermen have given away public benefits, like zoning rights and city-owned land, to real estate developers who, in turn, have lined the aldermen's pockets and campaign purses.

While corruption will never be eliminated from our communities, vigorous investigation and prosecution of corrupt officials can serve to reduce its harmful effects and, most importantly, greatly diminish the culture of acceptance.

< http://www.justice.gov/usao...ruption >

Posted by stardust14 on Feb. 03 2016,11:17 pm
Do a search of "corruption in America". Pages and pages of corrupt politicians and officials. Do a search for "corrupt citizens". Nothing.

In a relatively open republic how is it that widespread corruption is tolerated? One site stated that corruption is the No. 1 concern of citizens. So why the dichotomy?

"It is maintained that a closer analysis of the features of the underlying contract reveals that under many circumstances corruption is in fact a rational and understandable reaction to institutional failures, which are often far from accidental. Sometimes it can even be considered legitimate, when instrumental in achieving goals shared by the vast majority of the electorate."

The only statement found online implying a connection between institutional corruption and citizens.

The last thing a citizen likes to hear is that he/she has been corrupted on some level. This would imply complicity in their-- or fellow citizen's-- demise, whether intentional or not. A tough pill to swallow for many.

In the past I've stated various methods of institutional/citizen corruption schemes. An easy way to absolve one's self of social crimes is to point fingers. Citizens point to government and corporate america. Corporate america points to government and statute. Government officials point to corporations, lobbyists, big money, and other government officials.

Has anyone anywhere anytime come out and admitted themselves corrupt outside a legal indictment?

Posted by Marneman on Feb. 04 2016,3:21 am
Corruption unfortunatly has become SOP in Washington DC.  How else can elected officials earning about$150,000.00 a year  become millionaires in 2 to 4 years?  The problem has been around longer than most of us.  Take a look a Frank Cabra's "Mr. Smith Goes To Wahington" made in 1939.  It shows a lot of corruption in Washington DC then and how the political machines of the day would steamroll anyone that tried to stop them, including framing a reformer as corrupt.  While the political machines from those days aren't as strong today(or are better able to hide their activities?) there is still a lot of corrupting influences in Washington.  Lobbyist and other special interest groups are the main corruptors today.  It makes me angry to think that today a senator Paine (Claude Rains character in the movie) would probally not break down and confess his corruption to save an innocent person!  Until we can elect people who will go to Washington to serve the people of their states and districts rather than the political leadership of their parties and their lobbyist, corruption will contine to exist.
Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 04 2016,5:24 am
In Ancient Rome the word was "ambitus", where we get the word ambition (that's for you Capt. Vocabulary) and the punishment was death being the crime was considered treason. Now I imagine there are a few here that are thinking on creative demisments for the R party but I'm thinking there are quite a few on the other side too.
Posted by grassman on Feb. 04 2016,5:52 am
Public flogging with restitution and a little imprisonment thrown in, comes to mind. Bring the kids, pack a lunch. Much better than the current probation.  :D
Posted by stardust14 on Feb. 04 2016,1:34 pm

(grassman @ Feb. 04 2016,5:52 am)
QUOTE
Public flogging with restitution and a little imprisonment thrown in, comes to mind. Bring the kids, pack a lunch. Much better than the current probation.  :D

Would this apply to any locals found corrupted--friends, neighbors, city leaders, police?

When throwing stones it appears the preferred targets are the furthest.

Posted by grassman on Feb. 04 2016,2:31 pm
Anyone in a service position taking inappropriate measures, whether for themselves or someone else. They are there to serve the taxpayer, something that seems to be amiss these days. Get a govt. job! The water is great! :angry:
Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 04 2016,2:36 pm
Wow, we could be just like Thailand?
Posted by grassman on Feb. 04 2016,2:45 pm

(Self-Banished @ Feb. 04 2016,2:36 pm)
QUOTE
Wow, we could be just like Thailand?

What... you got something against punishing chronies?
Posted by stardust14 on Feb. 04 2016,3:12 pm

(grassman @ Feb. 04 2016,2:31 pm)
QUOTE
Anyone in a service position taking inappropriate measures, whether for themselves or someone else. They are there to serve the taxpayer, something that seems to be amiss these days. Get a govt. job! The water is great! :angry:

Agreed.
Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 04 2016,3:45 pm
Wow, Capt Bly and Mr. Christian are tough  :(

Let's expand this a bit, how about DUI? Domestic assault?

Better yet, how about rape?

Posted by stardust14 on Feb. 04 2016,5:07 pm
We were not discussing your personal infractions of the law.

If all politics are local then why not begin where corruption begins--locally. The look-the-other-way citizens included. Toleration of unethical behavior should be discouraged. Not as some police state mentality. But as a community goal involving all citizens. Community policing is a mindset involving the awareness that virtue is more important than cut-throat economics and power.

George Orwell said, "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

Posted by Self-Banished on Feb. 04 2016,6:34 pm

(stardust14 @ Feb. 04 2016,5:07 pm)
QUOTE
We were not discussing your personal infractions of the law.

If all politics are local then why not begin where corruption begins--locally. The look-the-other-way citizens included. Toleration of unethical behavior should be discouraged. Not as some police state mentality. But as a community goal involving all citizens. Community policing is a mindset involving the awareness that virtue is more important than cut-throat economics and power.

George Orwell said, "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

Well for the first part, infractions? I don't drink, Mrs SB doesn't beat me too hard and rape? Rapist should be castrated.

On to part two, toleration of infractions? When there is an infraction sure, why not? Citizens taking the law into their own hands, how civic minded. Let's start some Lynch mobs.  :sarcasm:

I surely would hate to see what you'd do to someone like Linda Tuttle. :blush:

But what of someone a bit further up the food chain? say someone who was irresponsible with sensitive items they were entrusted with putting people that trusted that person in danger.

Wow, "1984" I haven't read that book since junior high.

Posted by stardust14 on Feb. 05 2016,12:03 am
I'm surprised. I thought all the local gun-toting posse comitatus would be in favor of local control, local justice. But then I guess all the gad guys reside in DC. Applying justice, possibly neighbors or friends, gets too complicated; and that same justice may end up on one's own doorstep. Best to keep quiet.
Posted by alcitizens on Feb. 05 2016,10:59 pm
All Capital Improvement Plan's prior to 2016 have been removed from the City of Albert Lea website..

Those that are open and honest with public funds shouldn't have anything to hide.. So why does the City of Albert Lea want to hide documents that have been open to the public online for years?

It looks like the City of Albert Lea has something to hide.. :dunno:

Powered by Ikonboard 3.1.5 © 2006 Ikonboard