Raw Thought

by Aaron Swartz

Public Service Announcement

These are sad days for American democracy. Ohio congressman Bob Ney took bribes of tens of thousands of dollars in contributions and gifts. California congressman Duke Cunningham is in jail after forfeiting $1.8 million in bribes. And Louisiana congressman William Jefferson is giving up $1 million in bribes after an FBI raid on his house found $90,000 in a freezer.

In these days of widespread corruption and bribery, it is important to remember that no, this is not how our great democracy is supposed to work. The bribery is supposed to be much more subtle — not to mention legal.

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May 10, 2006

Comments

Such bribery (overt or not) wouldn’t be worth a dime if it didn’t go both ways — politicians bribe us, too. Considering the trillions of dollars they hold sway over, I’m surprised the amounts we’re talking about are so small.

posted by Mike Sierra on May 11, 2006 #

About the only way to reduce (and perhaps eliminate) these bribes (both to the elected officials and from them to special interests or the general population) is by reducing the scope of government to that envisioned in the Constitution. If the federal government budget were say 0.1% of what it is today there would be much less influence peddling. For more on this, read Harry Browne’s Why Government Doesn’t Work (http://www.libertyfree.com/WGDW/Chapter6.htm - sample chapter).

posted by Joe on May 12, 2006 #

Would there be .1 percent of the influence peddling? Just wondering…

posted by Mike Sierra on May 12, 2006 #

ALL the problems start with the indivigual. Subject: I have a project, I would really rather be out fixing a house but I WILL NOT LET MY CHILD BE THEIR SLAVE. This show will put you years ahead of all! 2012 the future of mankind

                    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8545585184878490822&q=2012

I am not able to do the sending from here and am needing to send about 50 to 100 thousand emails some time soon,,, (before christmas). I am doing nothing illeagle or immoral but I am having a pretty big fight with my ND government, Their sweaten,;-) . For 2 years now I have been in their face educating them of how they have been used to destroy this country, I PROVED IT TO THEM IN COUNTLESS WAYS I have studied all this for years and have mountains I wish to share! I have faced every ABC agency they have sent to get me, I Have taken on every cop, sheriff,judge, lawyer and Rep in my state every day for 2 solid years now.. I seek collect 20 million dollars for my time on this DOING THEIR JOB. The $ is for the re-education of this state. To do that, I had to pick afight bigger than the drivers lisence or child support I planned. To get put me in the system with, I took on the banks and the WHOLE N.D. Gov. Im facing 20 years, I HAVE THEM RIGHT WHERE I WANTED THEM!!! I put up my site and most of the hits are from the officials as I have been inviting them all. It has costed me a lot of mail boxess and my news site. Now, they want to drop ALL the charges if I would take it down and quit contacting them, I refused, They would have as good as murdered me inprison if I was ignorant. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, I will not quit until I am paid. I have NO communication skills, no law skills even.I work hard to be ignorant of their laws. I have all the e-mails in TXT notebooks and a few blasts that I wish to send asap. I do not care if you use it for your advertising, making $$ on affiliate programs or group recruteand even welcome it! I will pay well when I collect! I have Studied the spam laws, and can get around them as this is a public servise anouncment! I will take 100% responsability and sign any contract that protects you, I need someone I can trust to edit my mush some and get it out! I have faxed them all my plans, Im expecting the $$ but Iwant the first blast going out any way as their message, YOU TREAD ON ME,Don't tread on me or another here again .. I am simply going to makea better world for my twin grand kids, I am seeking 1-3 sendingplacess, All the tools needed can be used for

posted by Ed Curtis on December 7, 2006 #

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