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THAT STENCH OF CORRUPTION YOU SMELL IS COMING FROM THE SUPREME COURT by Jim Hightower
We Texans are long-accustomed to enduring stormy outbursts of corruption among our top state legislators. The spectacle of lawmakers taking corporate bribes to provide legislative favors, tax breaks, government contracts and such is as common as spring tornadoes and even more destructive to the public good.
The state's prevailing ethical standard was articulated several years ago when a powerful legislator (nicknamed "Bull of Brazos" was caught personally profiting from a bill he was pushing: "I'd just make a little bit of money," he explained dismissively. "I wouldn't make a whole lot."
Before rolling your eyes at Crazy Texas, though, consider the sneak attack that corporate America is now making to legalize the wholesale bribery of every public official in America. Their ploy is a cynical effort to redefine bribery. Paying officials to do corporate favors, they insist, should only be considered a bribe if the payoff is arranged before the favor is done. Yes, with a straight face, these finaglers claim that if the payment comes after an official delivers the goods, it's not a bribe but simply a "gratuity." Like tipping a waiter for good service.
The state's prevailing ethical standard was articulated several years ago when a powerful legislator (nicknamed "Bull of Brazos" was caught personally profiting from a bill he was pushing: "I'd just make a little bit of money," he explained dismissively. "I wouldn't make a whole lot."
Before rolling your eyes at Crazy Texas, though, consider the sneak attack that corporate America is now making to legalize the wholesale bribery of every public official in America. Their ploy is a cynical effort to redefine bribery. Paying officials to do corporate favors, they insist, should only be considered a bribe if the payoff is arranged before the favor is done. Yes, with a straight face, these finaglers claim that if the payment comes after an official delivers the goods, it's not a bribe but simply a "gratuity." Like tipping a waiter for good service.
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THAT STENCH OF CORRUPTION YOU SMELL IS COMING FROM THE SUPREME COURT by Jim Hightower (Original Post)
justaprogressive
May 2024
OP
You have your hands full with crazy elected officials, not unlike your governor.
twodogsbarking
May 2024
#1
twodogsbarking
(11,668 posts)1. You have your hands full with crazy elected officials, not unlike your governor.
There are good people everywhere.
KS Toronado
(18,714 posts)2. And if an official is never awarded his gratuity,
Can he sue for breach of contract?
littlemissmartypants
(23,741 posts)3. Link goes to God bless the nurses...
God Bless the Nurses. And Please Hurry!
By Jim Hightower...
https://www.creators.com/read/jim-hightower
Oops.
BadGimp
(4,038 posts)4. Jim Hightower has a way with words.
A genuine American treasure imo.