Is the Merican political system a form of legalised bribery?

[Rum]

Lobbying obviously plays a big part of the system but nothing brought it home to me so much as reading yesterday that Trump initially supported Obama's drive to ban the sale of assault rifles. Then as his nomination for the Repubs looked likely he gradually switched to being a full supporter of gun 'rights'.

The NRA donated 22 million dollars to his campaign fund.

In any other country - certainly in Europe - that would be seen as corruption.

[pErvinalia]

yes.

[Animavore]

That can't be right. Trump said he was paying for his own campaign out of his own money and that he was draining the swamp of corporate politicians.

Shame on you for disseminating fake news.

[Rum]

OK - ta to both of you for setting me straight


And/but..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41478293

[mistermack]

I don't think there is any black and white division between corruption and not.

I think it's corrupt that we have a monarchy and house of lords, having social advantage and influence passed down through the family. But the country tolerates it and doesn't want to change it, and the majority obviously don't agree with me.

It's much the same in the US. If people know about it, tolerate it, and see no reason to change it, then in practice it's not corrupt, although it is to those who disagree.

[Rum]

It is a matter of what is legitimate I guess. The Monarchy and the privilege that goes with it is legitimate - it is part of our system. Lobbying and spending money on your preferred candidate in the USA is 'legitimate' until of course the purpose of your government (in this case the very first duty - to protect its citizens) is corrupted and compromised.

[Svartalf]

Bribery is never properly legal, but the system... looks away from such things
Donating to campaign funds is not a direct bribe, but a kickback in nature is certainly expected.

[Svartalf]

It is a matter of what is legitimate I guess. The Monarchy and the privilege that goes with it is legitimate - it is part of our system. Lobbying and spending money on your preferred candidate in the USA is 'legitimate' until of course the purpose of your government (in this case the very first duty - to protect its citizens) is corrupted and compromised.

but letting people be armed is not corrupting the government's duty, as it allows them to protect themselves... that criminals and crackpots abuse this freedom is the price to pay and why we need an efficient police force.

[Tero]

Russia!!

[Brian Peacock]

All politics is bribery.

[laklak]

And everything is politics, therefore everything is bribery.

I think we're on to something here.

[pErvinalia]

You can send me my cheque in the mail..

[Svartalf]

I so wish people would bribe me, but apparently I have nothing other people want

[laklak]

I'm not catching any spare cash either, so we need to come up with something people will bribe us for. Evidently our good looks and sparkling wit aren't enough.

What about human trafficking? We've got people all over the world, and secure communications.

[pErvinalia]

Let's bribe Hermit.