Monday, December 5, 2011

Why is the US so low on the corruption charts?

[Note 11 Dec '11: The examples and explanations of corruption in the US continue at this link.]

On December 5th CNN reported: "The United States ranked 24th least corrupt on a "corruption perceptions index," the fifth-best in the Western Hemisphere. Canada ranked 10th, Barbados is 16th, the Bahamas is 21st and Chile is 22nd."

These charts are complied by the following organization...

From Transparency.Org

Transparency International, the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world.

TI’s mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.

Transparency International challenges the inevitability of corruption, and offers hope to its victims. Since its founding in 1993, TI has played a lead role in improving the lives of millions around the world by building momentum for the anti-corruption movement. TI raises awareness and diminishes apathy and tolerance of corruption, and devises and implements practical actions to address it.

Transparency International is a global network including more than 90 locally established national chapters and chapters-in-formation. These bodies fight corruption in the national arena in a number of ways. They bring together relevant players from government, civil society, business and the media to promote transparency in elections, in public administration, in procurement and in business. TI’s global network of chapters and contacts also use advocacy campaigns to lobby governments to implement anti-corruption reforms.

Politically non-partisan, TI does not undertake investigations of alleged corruption or expose individual cases, but at times will work in coalition with organisations that do.

TI has the skills, tools, experience, expertise and broad participation to fight corruption on the ground, as well as through global and regional initiatives.

Now in its second decade, Transparency International is maturing, intensifying and diversifying its fight against corruption.


[Note that the TI does not undertake investigations of 'alleged' corruption, so I'm sticking with only a small sample set of mainstream sources.]

The following is some information that suggests that the US doesn't deserve the extremely high ranking it has on the Corruption charts/scales...


The structure of Obama's government;



[Note that the structure of Obama's government is relevant because of the scale of inefficiencies of several of his implemented plans (of which we know about so far, for example this video and this one. Also, Goldman sacks is the same company that lied to its investors and bet against them and the same ones that postponed dealing with the Greek Crisis).

Insider Trading in Congress;




Insider Trading is what Martha Stewart went to prison for! ...


'Basically the banks were being lent money at no interest (by the government) and then the government was borrowing it back and giving interest!' What a sweet deal!

(Note: Bloomberg report referred to above is here... also note that Social Security is doing well so many politicians are constantly diverting it or its funds, explanation by Senator Bernie Sanders is here and part of the reason for the Social Security political nonsense is explained here.)

The uselessness of the EPA and lack of social justice;




Lack of transparency in some investigations;



Previously immoral and illegal activities are being promoted and accepted among a large number of GOP supporters (read GOP candidates facebook posts on Iran);



More examples of corruption and influence being used in ways that corrupt:

Echo Chambers 1 and 2.

The GOP

Debt Ceiling debate

Political influence in the courts

The problem of prisons for profit and other weird shit (that has a very long historical precedent, you would know if you lived in the South... in the meantime, read 'To Kill A Mocking Bird'. I've actually seen the scene of arguing over scripture between a fanatic and normal person in real life, so the book is like living history to me!)

The shocking truth about the crackdown on Occupy ["No 3 was the most clarifying: draft laws against the little-known loophole that currently allows members of Congress to pass legislation affecting Delaware-based corporations in which they themselves are investors."]

The Financial Crisis screams of corruption and some investigations have begun.

The only politician running for the Presidential election is Ron Paul... and he is the only one telling the whole truth. Full explanation is here.

Theories: 1. TI either doesn't like to read, Or 2. Compiles it charts using other peoples charts (an old cartographers trick), Or 3. Is controlled by someone or some group (or coalition of groups) that opposes the release of this information, Or 4. This is an effort to defame one side for the purposes of power, control or manipulation, Or 5. Is biased against third world countries (which means they are probably elitists and racists/bigots in some way. It's easy to determine, by an expert, when looking at the researchers and decision makers as a whole, as to which theory or combination of theories is correct).

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Breaking News Dec 6 2011 -

From BBC - "Organised crime poses an "open threat" to democracy in Mexico, President Felipe Calderon has warned."

From Judge Andrew Napolitano:



Above video is from here.

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