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Highlands Today > Raliegh Whiteman Columns

Corruption Of Our Representatives

By Raleigh Whiteman | Highlands Today

Published: March 4, 2009

Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties.

Politics is an attractive occupation for many popular, intelligent and savvy people primarily because of the perks that come with the positions, particularly with the U.S. government. A main attraction is the annual base pay of representatives and senators at $169,300. This is guaranteed for their term of office and they receive on the average a 2.5 percent increase each year. Should they retire or get voted out of office after eight years of service, at age 62 they would get approximately $34,000 a year. This is a good chunk of money for a person who may be already receiving some retirement annuity from previous employment.

Pork Barrel Politics

However, if one of these politicos is new to the office and cannot perform well enough to get re-elected, he or she may be tempted to augment their living standards based upon the $169,000 a year by helping out those who need some support for their pork barrel ideas.

While it may not be construed to be a bribe if not asked to do so, it certainly may pay off in the future for any favor done. Just do not talk about it over the phone or in public where the act could lead to a misconduct charge as did Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was notified of an investigation this past December and quickly kicked out of office over accusations that he tried to auction off a vacant U.S. Senate seat. His dirty speaking mouth showed his lack of political prowess by thinking he was beyond reproach.

Sen. Roland Burris, whose appointment to Obama's vacant Senate seat by Blagojevich, has been caught lying about his association with the ex-governor. He has refused to resign, and seems not to notice the line that was swiftly forming behind him if he is ousted by Illinois residents who are tired of their state being accused of historically having the most corrupt politicians in the country.

In all likelihood this trillion dollar stimulus will have plenty of pork to spread around and there will be plenty of those who like getting the free money and will certainly support the originator of the plan regardless of how much it hurts others.

Raleigh Whiteman, of Lake Placid, can be reached on the Internet at rwwhiteman@comcast.net

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