How many people think our politicians are corrupt

[Boosterman]

Ok just leave out Republicans for this. Lets talk about Democrats and Independents. What percentage would you say are corrupt. I have to say I have a fairly low threshold for corruption. I think if they take political contributions from individuals or corporations KNOWING they will have to do political favors for them at a later date its corruption. Since they all pretty much do this it seems (or some variant of it)my opinion of politicians is pretty bleak. I was curious as to everyone one elses take and opinions.

[shesemsmom]

1. I think they all have potential for it

that is more than enough reason to keep an eye on them all

[ProdigalJunkMail]

2. i would honestly say about 98%

once you have been in 'power' for more than about 10 minutes something seems to happen to you...from the local city councils, to the school boards, to the House and Senate, to the judges chambers all the way to the White House. You may not be accepting money for favors...but the power-kick seems to warp peoples' minds...

theProdigal

[blueknight]

3. 99%

i had a one term congressman tell me one time " you do what they (leadership) tell you to do, or you will get no help". he did not run for re-election. he also told me "if you aren't crooked when you get there,you have to become crooked to stay" sad,but im afraid, true.

[Deja Q]

5. And if even Wellstone can break a campaign promise, nobody can.

(he said he wouldn't run a third term and then, whupp! He did. I kept saying he should have found someone with similar values... but, no. It might have cost him his life if you believe in :tinfoilhat:. But, either way, it sure as hell helped Coleman. x(

[Deja Q]

4. 99%, I agree. It's NOT a partisan thing... and I agree,

something as being bought for favoritism is corruption.

[Ian David]

6. I'd say 90% are corrupt bastards

Here is what I think of Politicians. I believe there are five kinds, which I list here in no particular order:

1) Good, honest RATIONAL people who want to make a difference, serve the public, and help people.

2) Religious fundies who want to impose upon us their own personal version of god's laws.

3) Mostly well-intentioned folk who never got the approval they wanted from their parents, and have decided to run for office so the rest of us will love them.

4) Greedy, evil bastards in love with money and power.

5) People with a limited agenda of pet causes who legislate with blinders on and "vote with the herd" on any issue they don't understand or care about (sometimes these are good, positive causes, like the environment).

On edit: I also think that the higher-up through the ranks you get, the less honorable the person's intentions.

My personal opinion of John Kerry is that he was motivated by a love of power and money, but mostly by the need to serve the people.

George Dubya, on the other hand, was motivated by various aspects of numbers 2 through 5, but not in any way by number 1.

[Boosterman]

8. Good list. I like it

Where would the petty bureaucrat go? The ones who simply get ran because they follow orders and have mediocre talents. Seems like there a few of those. Would that be #4?

[bunkerbuster1]

7. Gotta define "corrupt," first.

If you define it as "spends more time with constituents who've contributed to the campaign than those who haven't," then the number would be rather high.

If you define it as "someone who can be paid outright to support specific legislation," the number's lower.

FWIW I don't think that by either definition Republicans are a whole lot more corrupt than Dems. I think there are some "principled" Repubs who genuninely believe they're working in the nation's best interests. I know they're wrong, but they do believe they're right.

[Boosterman]

9. I agree with you on the republican thing

I just didnt want to skew the percentage. Many wouldnt take that view so thats why I excluded them.

[McKenzie]

10. I reckon people get crushed by the machine

Complex issues here people and we all have a view on them. My own view is that anyone going into politics to change things radically is unlikely to:

a) Make any headway.

b) Get re-elected.

So they have to play along. The machine is just too powerful for one or two decent people to change by themselves. They have to compromise, toe the party line, respond to their constituent's (often ludicrous) demands and generally not rock the boat. All too often they are forced into compromises that, in turn, are misread as corruption, nepotism and so on.

I don't think they become corrupt simply by getting elected; they just have to acquiese to the conventional wisdom. If you try to change things too much...stomp! The parameters of what they are allowed to do are tightly drawn.

"Welcome to the machine".

Meanwhile, my lunch is cooking on the hob.

regards

[wtbymark]

11. Bernard Sanders - ( I ) Rep- Vermont

'Bernie' is the only politician i've ever heard of with your non-corrupt requisite. He is by far the biggest thorn in the house's side, the problem is, he is the lone voice in the sea of white washed crap that is the house of representitaves. His voting record speaks for itself, he's the one who started the drug re-importation idea. He is truely a champion of the citizen. My hat is off to 'Bernie'.

On Edit: The three federal seats that Vermont holds are 'lifers'. Bernie Sanders (I) House, Patric Leahy (D) Senate, and Jumpin' Jim Jeffords (I) Senate, will serve until they die or don't want to. They have, and will have, no opposition in any election cycle - thus- no political pressure. We are lucky, thats why i moved here so long ago : )

[eg101]

12. corrupt as Jimmy Hoffa's rotten body

Henry B Gonzales was not corrupt, to my knowledge. But he retired a long time ago.

But here is the real problem: ALL our politicians are corrupt because they are not supporting fervently things like universal healthcare and fair trade. If they are not fighting like demons for these things, then they are corrupt. Which means 95% of them are corrupt. ALL of the senators are corrupt; the media will only let corrupt corporatists get any media attention.

Just a few US Reps are uncorrupt.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Thoughts on the honesty of politicians from my Avatar.

"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress." - Mark Twain

[cthrumatrix]

14. read "Confessions of an Economic Hitmen".... it will change your view

of America.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Corruption is the one thing that Dems &Repugs have in common.

All are slaves to a corrupt system that disguises itself as a democracy but is really a capitalist oligarchy.

"He who has the gold, makes the rules."

[itzamirakul]

16. I do...I go with the 98% are...

those who do not accept cash accept favors, so what is the difference?
I really had a hard time coming to this conclusion about Dem. politicians until this past presidential campaign and election.

[theboss]

17. Under your definition, all of them

There are different types of corruption though. I actually think there is far less Abscam-type corruption now than ever before. I don't think that many people get into politics for personal gain anymore. Most of them are either rich when they come in (like Corzine) or know they are going to get rich once they leave (like the Clintons). The real problem is that the level of coziness between politicians, lobbyists, and fundraisers where instead of doing something for a payoff, you are doing something for a "friend." I never understood how Daschle could be married to a lobbyist and not be completely influenced by it.