Post: #1

Mark Leibovich on Glitz and Greed in Washington
August 23, 2013
Bill talks with journalist Mark Leibovich about his latest book, This Town, a city where money rules the day and status is determined by who you know and what they can do for you. “If you can sell yourself as someone who knows how Washington works, someone who has these relationships,” Leibovich explains, “that’s a very marketable commodity. If you’re seen as someone who knows how this town works, someone who is a usual suspect in this town, you can dine out for years — that’s why no one leaves.”

This guy outlines why these influence peddlers never leave Washington D.C.

http://billmoyers.com/segment/mark-leibo...ashington/

Post: #2

(08-26-2013 08:00 PM)vinman Wrote:  Mark Leibovich on Glitz and Greed in Washington
August 23, 2013
Bill talks with journalist Mark Leibovich about his latest book, This Town, a city where money rules the day and status is determined by who you know and what they can do for you. “If you can sell yourself as someone who knows how Washington works, someone who has these relationships,” Leibovich explains, “that’s a very marketable commodity. If you’re seen as someone who knows how this town works, someone who is a usual suspect in this town, you can dine out for years — that’s why no one leaves.”

This guy outlines why these influence peddlers never leave Washington D.C.

http://billmoyers.com/segment/mark-leibo...ashington/

No doubt it's probably a good read, but I am unaware of a country where there isn't corruption in the federal gov't.

It's probably worse in most countries than in the US.

For example, a journalist who writes a critical article about Russia's government has to fear for his life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_jou..._in_Russia

Post: #3

(08-26-2013 08:25 PM)Sugar Wrote:  No doubt it's probably a good read, but I am unaware of a country where there isn't corruption in the federal gov't.

It's probably worse in most countries than in the US.

For example, a journalist who writes a critical article about Russia's government has to fear for his life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_jou..._in_Russia

Not trying to get too defensive about Russia, but there are a lot of nuances there. A journalist who exposes Chechen crimes probably still has to watch out, but I read all kinds of articles and blogs every day mocking Putin and his 'Party of Crooks and Thieves' without any fear. It was a real Wild West back in the 90s, but has become more stable and civilized by now no matter what the Western propaganda wants you to believe. Besides, why compare the US to Russia, just pick Turkmenistan, and no matter how corrupt the US gets, it'll still look better in comparison.

As for American corruption, I have all but stopped following the mainstream political media. I noticed a lot of BS in it before, but the breaking point for me was Anthony Bourdaine's new show on CNN, whatever it's called. I used to love his travel show "No Reservations" where he would go to all kinds of odd destinations, eat, drink and joke with the locals. I thought the new CNN show would be the same, but after watching a couple of episodes (Myanmar and Libya) it became clear to me that he, just like most journalists, sold out to the puppet masters. The format of the new show is similar, but every now and then you hear this mainstream media style BS propaganda, like Gaddafi was a bastard and how great it is that he's dead now, how happy everybody is, and the next day the film crew hiding in the hotel because, apparently, not everybody's happy, and somebody's bombing whatever is left of the country.

Right now, the US and it's partners are considering invading Syria (let's see how this turns out), even though most people in the US don't want this war. A lot of Democrat and Republican politicians support the war, clearly keeping a country's interests in mind. The question is what country.

Post: #4

While I still maintain that Republicans are generally more corrupt, I have long since acknowledged that both parties are far, far below any civilized standard and represent nothing more than a "lesser evil" compared to each other.

Post: #5

(08-27-2013 05:07 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  While I still maintain that Republicans are generally more corrupt, I have long since acknowledged that both parties are far, far below any civilized standard and represent nothing more than a "lesser evil" compared to each other.

I generally think whichever party is currently in power is more corrupt.

Post: #6

(08-27-2013 05:07 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  While I still maintain that Republicans are generally more corrupt, I have long since acknowledged that both parties are far, far below any civilized standard and represent nothing more than a "lesser evil" compared to each other.

After the last 4 and 1/2 years of a president lying about pretty much everything that he ran on, and passing the most destructive bill in the history of our country by paying off members to ram it through when there was no Republican opposition under the guise of "we don't know what is in it until we pass it" there is really no way to say Republicans are more corrupt.

Much less that the overt women's rights over men is pushed more and more by the Democrats. Have fun having to pay more in healthcare so that women can pay less thanks to Obamacare.