There is a lot of talk now about Jack Murtha's Corrupt practices as he goes for Majority leader position. However, Its interesting to note ABSCAM was 26 years ago. And if apprpropiations scheming is the only other ammo his enemies have, then that would disqualify quite a few people in Government leadership.
Everyone does it. Just not in the form of Bribery like the ignoble Duke Cunningham.
So is there a certain baseline corruption builti n to this system. At this point it sure seems there is. At least a baseline that any puirst would not tolerate.
Yet, as far as corrpution practices go, our government seems to be less corrupt than many others.
If we stop thinking of America is "above the world" but rather, as part of the world, than we realize that our corruption levels are present but dont compare to those in countries like Nigeria, and pakistan.
Further, once we start thinking that we are part of the world, we rezlize our health care system is not amongst the the best in the world in terms of providing health care to all, and our schools have much worse off than countries like japan and china.
So its all a mindset.
Its all about leaving the purist position, and living in the real world.
ELect Jack murtha.
SO be it.