[alanwreath]

Corruption is ever present. No counter to it is what kills countries.

The US has been security by obscurity in so many ways, this latest abuse is just further evidence that counting on it would only ever delay abuse for [checks calendar] about 250 years.

And really is has been in free fall for decades, the fact that so many recent examples are so flagrant (along with this) is what is upsetting (mainly because no one with any power is moving to stop it in any meaningful way).

[lobsterthief]

In some countries (e.g. Uruguay) it’s possible to ingrain anticorruption ideals into the fabric of society. This lowers the overall level of corruption as citizens are more likely to feel it’s wrong and they’re raised to call out corruption when they see it. I guess we’d call this “social responsibility”. Of course, the social aspect must be coupled with governmental and legislative changes aimed directly at increasing transparency and reducing corruption—this is what was done in Uruguay, at least.

Corruption isn’t eliminated entirely but is drastically reduced. Taxes then get spent on society instead of corrupt politicians. The result is more bureaucracy but it also placed the country lower than the US on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)[0]. CPI has its own measurement issues but is the best we’ve got.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index

[alanwreath]

Well said! I guess I’d overlooked that aspect of corruption.

Especially poignant in my home where leaders make corruption===outwitting laws===smart. Perception can lead to widespread adoption.

But I guess if our laws actually held up corruption wouldn’t outwit the laws in the first place.