Wow. QuasiMondo, I really think you're missing the point. Bribery is *never* a good thing - it always hurts some one, one way or another. Consider some of the more common bribery scenarios:
o Private individual(s) or company bribes public servant(s) so that public servant(s) throw a government contract their way. This is (I believe) what Tony Rezko was accused of doing. The public servants *job* is to select the best people or company to fulfil the contract. If someone bribes their way to getting a contract, then the public is being defrauded - at the least, they're paying too much for the contract. Also, and honest company, who would have done a better job, or done the same job cheaper, looses business.
o A company or individual(s) bribe a public official to not enforce some law or regulation. Slipping the fire marshall some cash to ignore a fire hazard, or a cop to forget about a speeding ticket. Those laws and regulations are in place for a reason. Someone is now being put in danger, or some business is put at a competetive disadvantage.
o A public servant demands a bribe to do their job. This case is slightly more subtle, but again, society is harmed - the pubic servant didn't create any value for the money he took. He's obstructing the proper functions of government, and preventing access to government services to those who can afford his bribe.
Corruption can literally destroy a country. Read up on countries in South America and Africa where corruption is rampant - a countries with vast natural resources and lots of wealth, but most of the people are in a constant state of poverty, and the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. Some people blame unregulated capitalism, but corruption is at least as much to blame in these countries.
*That's* why bribery is illegal and immoral - because it hurts individuals and society as a whole. Just like murder, robbery, organized crime, rape, etc.
Also, apparently I agree with Ustwo about something.
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Originally Posted by keanu
Woah.
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:-)