Go on and try offering "campaign financing", or "creative accounting" to a policeman stopped you for speeding somewhere in California. Don't forget to record it on your smartphone.
In Russia, literally ANY road policeman not only takes bribes, but has a bag of tricks how to get more from you.
Unfortunately it's well-known to me, from my own experience. (10+ years of driving on Russian roads, 4+ in California)
And I understand what you're saying. Similar things are happening when your child goes to school/college/etc. You pay for smth and she/he gets preferences. As I see, it's common both in US and Russia.
But between bribing and things you mentioned there is one essential difference, that changes everything. It's this question:
- Are rules known in advance, are they written and available in public?
I believe this question helps to distinguish black and white.
In Russia, literally ANY road policeman not only takes bribes, but has a bag of tricks how to get more from you.
Unfortunately it's well-known to me, from my own experience. (10+ years of driving on Russian roads, 4+ in California)