2006-09-07 22:31:05 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
The correct question is...
We do we the people elect people who are willing to take bribes?
The problem isn't them, it's us. We are the ones who elect these people. Were the ones who need to change.
2006-09-07 22:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by Jon H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, first off, I'd disagree with the person who said politicans make a lot of money anyways - and then take bribes.
The average member of Congress makes about $165,000 a year (I think) - members of leadership (Minority Leader, Speaker, etc.) make a little more. While that's more money than I make - it's also a pretty important, and at times, very stressful job. Members of the House have to run for re-election every two years. So basically, they get about six months from the time of the election, until they have to start worrying about raising money for re-election, and campaigning.
Now, why are the bribes so much money? Because those offering the bribes are seeking to influence legislation that usually can affect companies in ways equal to millions and millions of dollars. It could be legislation that benefits a company, or it could be legislation that could hurt a company - either way, it's "worth it" to some companies (or more accurately, some of the people in some companies), to spend some money to get things to go their way.
Why do members of Congress accept bribes? Probably because just about everybody is greedy when some body is offering them thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And - they think they can get away with it. Nobody who takes a bribe thinks that they are going to get caught.
2006-09-07 23:49:25 · answer #2 · answered by Flint 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't call them "bribes." They are political contributions of a nonspecific nature. My goodness, your going to have to get the terminology correct here. Bribes is when someone takes money illegally. When you make the laws like they do, nothing is illegal. These guys and gals are making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year now and that's not enough. When you allow probably 80 or 90 percent of your politicians to be lawyers, you can expect nothing more. There should be a law against lawyers being involved in politics altogether. They are taking our great Nation away from the people and greed has become the norm.
2006-09-07 22:39:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dear wondered, politicians are a mirror of the people they govern. so, if you feel that they steal large amounts of money, and you might be right, for the same thing is happening in my country, it means that so would the people do, if possible. but, at least in theory, the government should be a public organ that mediates the relations between two potential faces of the same body: the people. those two faces are: 1) the sovereign, understood as the equal and total union of all members of a society, the most power full force in the state;everyone must unite in the interest of the common good; the sovereign purpose is the well being of each and every one of it's members. 2) the state, understood as the amount individuals that obey the sovereign. the sovereign decides in the general matters; it takes decisions that concern every member of the society. but it can't decide in particular matters, due to the lack of interest. here's the role of the government. to decide in the particular matters, according to the stipulations of the sovereign. still, the politicians don't do their job. why? because no one gives a s%*t anymore. why? because the sovereign is very sensitive, and just a little deviation from the initial agreement (that everyone must unite in the interest of the common good) will broke the sovereign. for more details, i recommend Jean Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract.
2016-03-17 10:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by Gail 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm....I think your question should have said 'why do politicians earn so much money AND still take bribes'....
Its just greed and easy money. thats why they do it.
2006-09-07 22:35:13 · answer #5 · answered by Taurus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because to them its called campaign contributions, even though that is exactly what it's called a bribe
2006-09-07 22:39:20 · answer #6 · answered by Ladder Captain-29 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haven't you heard? We have the best politicians money can buy!
2006-09-08 02:42:28 · answer #7 · answered by grumpy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've answered you're on question.
2006-09-07 22:40:53 · answer #8 · answered by tracy211968 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a silly question
2006-09-07 22:38:17 · answer #9 · answered by RedFerrari 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because people offer so much money.
2006-09-07 22:32:25 · answer #10 · answered by dogstyle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋