corruption of govenrnment officials: is the system broken, or do we just choose the wrong people?
345273
I believe it is reported too little, and punished too lightly. The example is that Jack Abramoff, who bribed countless Senators, received the minimum sentence of 70 months and was allowed to choose his own prison. Even more sickening is the fact that the Senators who took his money are virtually forgotten, and with the exception of a few publicity stunts, business resumes as normal. I'd like to see investigations, new policy, and a thorough cleaning of all the dirty business that happens on the Hill. Lobbying is in general a good business, the average size of a lobbying interest is rather small, but it needs much greater oversight and new politicians who can pursue the greater good and report these corruptions. The system as it is makes it exceedingly hard to stay 'squeaky clean', but I think the best way to stay personally clean would be to work to bring the corruption in the system to light. The voters must do their part by gathering information and making informed decisions, but it is the responsibility of the elected officials and the media to make sure voters get that information.
671194
Yes.  It is corruption, if it is really happening.  You could report it to your assistant district attorney.  I say assistantt, d.a. because he or she no doubt has aspirations to becoming the big dog.  If anyone wants to make a name for themselves by taking down corrupt civil servants it would be an assistan district attorney.   Report it to them, or a local t.v. reporter.  The local news station no doubt has someone who specializes in ruining lives and reputations.  Have fun.
488193
Corruption is when you're in a public office, or you run a company, and someone gives you money to do things that aren't in the company's or in the public's best interest...\nsay you run company X, and you want Sen. Somebody to vote for something that will give you more profits...so you hand him a big suitcase full of money, and he votes in your favor. That's an example of corruption...another kind of corruption is like in Mexico where the police take payola for letting you drive down the road...or else.\n\nCorruption tends to drive countries DOWN, not up, economically. Argentina fell apart because of corruption, they went broke.
20476
for most of the politicans its difficult to be truthful.for example in india 90% of polictians are not truthful.theycharacter can be estimated by there background .some of them have bad histories. recently some politicans have been accused of taking of bribes.unless the values of the politicans change the country cant cannot develop\nthey to be faithfull to the people who elected them
691103
Not all laws are Godly laws, and there are corrupt people in all professions. I would say sometimes the people in law enforcement over step their bounds and even to the point of killing someone, but this doesn't mean all people in law enforcement are acting ungodly.
10927
Corruption is the problem.  Be careful handing out cash.  If the cop is honest, you could be charged with bribing a law enforcement officer.
126691
For the most part, no. Elected officials do not magically lose their self interest once they are elected. They may use varying rationalizations to justify particular policies, but it is a rare politician who acts opposite his true interests. For more in depth discussion, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_choice_theory
275887
only by stiffer penalty's,let the time fit the crime and  give them no probation and if its a elected official, they must give up their retirement benefits.... being hard on them wont be easy and in some peoples eyes, it may not be fair... but who ever said fighting corruption was easy....or fair?? you fight fire with fire.....
239406
Money is the route of the corruption in this country.  Most of our people elected to either house of Congress are in the 2% of the countries richest.  It is not the fact that they are rich that makes for the corruption.  It is money from corporations, lobbying groups, other wealthy contributors that have added a layer of corruption in this country.  They are not as organized as they could be as they are all looking out for themselves, however watch out if they would decide to start coordinating efforts.
133847
Because anyone in a high enough position to organize government of anykind is subject to corruption, therefore fundamentally flawing the entire democratic system.  And most others.
164925
All governments have some sort of corruption, and I'm not sure it will ever be solved.  It is important to remember that certain people are blamed for being corrupt when they aren't and others aren't blamed when they should be.  It depends on who the media hates that day!  Usually, when one politician blames another for being corrupt, it can usually be revealed that (s)he is corrupt in certain ways as well.  Though it doesn't make our politicians right, compared to other govt's I think we have it pretty good.  We could be like Saddam's old Iraq and worry about being thrown into a tree chipper for dissenting.
880610
If a gov't is corrupt, then new young leadership must step up and clean house.\n\nIndia is full of corruption. It's time for a change!
761982
yes, there is corruption in all governments at all levels and more so in some countries than in others. americans would rather believe thought that we have the most here but just take mexico for example, every time they get stopped for a traffic violation there has to be a bribe paid, and they get stopped alot. most other countries have very obvious corruption like venezuela, india, and many other third world countries.
691919
nearly impossible question to answer accurately unless you defined 'ehtical lapse' and then researched it over the past 200+ years.  I'd tend to say it is about even and there are definitely examples of corruption in both major parties.
983646
i don,t believe so.  one is stupidity and one in immoral.  i don,t think that politicians know the difference.  they all seem to be able to lie about anything and everything. there a just a few who seem honest and trustworthy, but, maybe they just haven't been caught.
1129130
Corruption is a way of life.  It goes back to the first time someone needed a favor.  Try not to get caught, don't take advantage of the mentally challenged and uhhh...remember to eat your vegetables.
765401
Unfortunately, the following quote couldn't be any truer:\n\n"In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve."\n\nHowever, I see your point, and it's unfortunate that the government officials have to bottom out before the people find the effort to rise up and throw the bums out.