THAT STENCH OF CORRUPTION YOU SMELL IS COMING FROM THE SUPREME COURT by Jim Hightower [View all]

[justaprogressive]

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&quot 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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