Comments on: Maybe Blagojevich Didn’t Do Anything Wrong After All…

By: Vanessa J Gordon

Vanessa J Gordon — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:26:19 +0000

Excellent, entertaining, useful reading, Thanks !!

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:41:39 +0000

How can this not be considered criminal. Isn't a plot to do something illegal, essentially punishable as well, although not to the same extent.

Right?

By: Bob Fertik

Bob Fertik — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:04:24 +0000

You've identified the biggest problem in American government at all levels: we simply do not have an adequate definition of Bribery.

Right now it's only Bribery if you take cash (William Jefferson) or in-kind home improvement services (Ted Stevens).

But what if you take campaign contributions in exchange for passing laws, leaning on bureaucrats, or arranging jobs? That's perfectly legal.

Public financing of campaigns would be helpful, but there would always be gray areas - unless we had a clear and strict definition of Bribery.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:54:08 +0000

First, it's true for a lot more than ambassadors. Second, Mr. Bennett (who is in the business of defending the indefensible) may not call that criminal, but the direct quid pro quo that Blagojevich was suggesting sure is.