Over the years, our society has developed this insatiable desire for power and money. Politicians all over the world are motivated by something that they desire. For many, they begin with the desire to serve those who elected them. After some time in office however, public servants sadly become greedy and their perception and purpose of serving the people can become distorted. Corruption in our legislature can be tied to mainly one thing, and that is money. Many people think that politicians become out of touch with what their constituents want after being in office so long and can accuse them of being corrupt. This is not always the case. Corruption is something that elected officials are capable of at any point in time after they are elected.
In all reality, our legislature is not as corrupt as most people think it is. Historically, there have been several accounts of vote buying, money laundering, and much more. In recent years, Congress as a whole has put in place laws that force them to be more honest and pure politically. Lobbying groups, who may not be bound to these laws, are still not able to buy members of congress gifts of any sort in hopes they will pass laws that they may be in favor of. Special interest groups may make donations to their campaign, but are not allowed to be directly involved financially to the members of our legislature. If they are, these members of Congress are reprimanded by the United States Office of Government Ethics. Both Houses of our Congress have Ethical Committees to ensure that their colleagues are not accepting bribes, or participating in any activities that would compromise their ability to represent their constituents.
As was pointed out in another blog, the United States received a score of seventeen when compared to other countries who are corrupt according to transparency.org. A one meaning there is little to no corruption and a one-hundred seventy-five meaning that is the most corrupt, the United States isn't as corrupt as many believe. The score of seventeen still means there is some corruption that takes place. Most of the corruption in our legislature occurs in the form of money donations in elections and campaigns. There are recent counts of Senatorial Campaigns where candidates used money for personal expenses, which is an illegal practice. Some Representatives Campaigns have done similar things as well. In some cases members of our Congress have used their money to influence other elections in other states. Most of the corruption that is observed today is found in State and Local forms of government. Our Federal government may not be the most efficient in passing legislation, but it is one of the most honest in the world when compared to other legislatures that thrive on vote buying and power seeking.
Our Legislature historically has not been the most honest. However, the laws and measures that are in place to prevent corruption from happening in our Legislature, on the whole, are doing their job. I am not naive enough to say that corruption is not something that our members of Congress do not deal with. Congress has cracked down on unethical practices that have contributed to the idea that Capitol Hill is corrupt. Corruption exists, sure it does, but it is not as prevalent as it is in other countries in dictating the policies that are passed.
Joseph Lowe
Further Reading:
http://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results
http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1706&context=ilj
http://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/measuring-illegal-and-legal-corruption-american-states-some-results-safra
http://www.oge.gov/About/Mission-and-Responsibilities
In all reality, our legislature is not as corrupt as most people think it is. Historically, there have been several accounts of vote buying, money laundering, and much more. In recent years, Congress as a whole has put in place laws that force them to be more honest and pure politically. Lobbying groups, who may not be bound to these laws, are still not able to buy members of congress gifts of any sort in hopes they will pass laws that they may be in favor of. Special interest groups may make donations to their campaign, but are not allowed to be directly involved financially to the members of our legislature. If they are, these members of Congress are reprimanded by the United States Office of Government Ethics. Both Houses of our Congress have Ethical Committees to ensure that their colleagues are not accepting bribes, or participating in any activities that would compromise their ability to represent their constituents.
As was pointed out in another blog, the United States received a score of seventeen when compared to other countries who are corrupt according to transparency.org. A one meaning there is little to no corruption and a one-hundred seventy-five meaning that is the most corrupt, the United States isn't as corrupt as many believe. The score of seventeen still means there is some corruption that takes place. Most of the corruption in our legislature occurs in the form of money donations in elections and campaigns. There are recent counts of Senatorial Campaigns where candidates used money for personal expenses, which is an illegal practice. Some Representatives Campaigns have done similar things as well. In some cases members of our Congress have used their money to influence other elections in other states. Most of the corruption that is observed today is found in State and Local forms of government. Our Federal government may not be the most efficient in passing legislation, but it is one of the most honest in the world when compared to other legislatures that thrive on vote buying and power seeking.
Our Legislature historically has not been the most honest. However, the laws and measures that are in place to prevent corruption from happening in our Legislature, on the whole, are doing their job. I am not naive enough to say that corruption is not something that our members of Congress do not deal with. Congress has cracked down on unethical practices that have contributed to the idea that Capitol Hill is corrupt. Corruption exists, sure it does, but it is not as prevalent as it is in other countries in dictating the policies that are passed.
Joseph Lowe
Further Reading:
http://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results
http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1706&context=ilj
http://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/measuring-illegal-and-legal-corruption-american-states-some-results-safra
http://www.oge.gov/About/Mission-and-Responsibilities