[jrmenon]

Many good answers here. I also moved from many years ago, and noticed the same trends. Just to add additional points:

1) I think the lack of low-level corruption not just in US, but even developed Asian countries like Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan also indicates that reducing the wealth gap, govt. salaries (esp. Singapore), rule-of-law etc.. has a factor.

Some of these countries have similar cultural histories and affinities to India, and yet they have been able to overcome these weaknesses.

It will be good to hear what folks from these countries think about their own experiences here.

2) In US, lot of things that are considered 'corruption' in other countries are somewhat legalized - e.g. lobbying and so forth. Granted it is more at a higher level with much larger amounts in play, but even here, there is some degree of transparency.