OK, I'll say it, without mincing words. They Used To Call It "Bribery"

[99th_Monkey]

Last edited Sat Feb 6, 2016, 06:04 PM - Edit history (2)

Definition of bribe

1: money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a
person in a position of trust.

2: something that serves to induce or influence

...............

legal Definition of Bribery

Bribery
The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of an official in the discharge of his or her public or legal duties.The expectation of a particular voluntary action in return is what makes the difference between a bribe and a private demonstration of goodwill. To offer or provide payment in order to persuade someone with a responsibility to betray that responsibility is known as seeking Undue Influence over that person's actions. When someone with power seeks payment in exchange for certain actions, that person is said to be peddling influence. Regardless of who initiates the deal, either party to an act of bribery can be found guilty of the crime independently of the other.

A bribe can consist of immediate cash or of personal favors, a promise of later payment, or anything else the recipient views as valuable. When the U.S. military threatened to cancel a Texas relocation company's contracts to move families to and from military bases, the company allegedly gave four representatives in Congress an all-expenses-paid weekend in Las Vegas in January 1989, and $2,500 in speaking fees. The former president of the company was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in 1994 on bribery charges for both gifts.
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/bribery

...................

Now as long as we call it "Speaker Fees", no one is supposed to notice, no one is supposed to care..
But let's at least not engage in collective amnesia, forgetting what we're actually talking about here.

I posted the excerpted article below, several days ago. The title speaks for itself,
as does this brief excerpt:

Clinton Last Night: "Name Anything (Wall Street Has) Influenced Me On" -- OK, I Will

Because Wall Street executives were the biggest donors to her 2006 Senate campaign and her 2008 presidential campaign. Clinton got millions from the financial industry while also protecting them — she is most assuredly influenced by her Wall Street donors.

That’s one thing right there, per Clinton’s request — but here’s even more.

In 2007 and 2008, Clinton did not work with the other senators in Congress to pass a housing bill to stop individual financial players from destroying the economy.

As ProPublica reports,

When a broad housing bill finally became law in 2008, Clinton was not among the more than dozen senators credited by party leaders as playing a key role.

She was not a leader in the Senate to stop Wall Street’s reckless behavior.

In fact, she was barely even a follower.

Additionally, as Politico reports:

Clinton also has some history with the shadow-banking world she says is a continuing risk to the financial system. While in the Senate, she made a little-noticed overture to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who was involved in talks to rescue giant insurer AIG with government funds. She was calling on behalf of wealthy investors who stood to lose millions and had hired two longtime Clinton associates to represent them.

So not only did she not battle for the American people against Wall Street, or even follow those who were fighting for the citizens, she actually fought on Wall Street’s behalf.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/6/1480801/-Bill-Black-Hillary-the-Banksters-Committed-Fraud-Not-Shenanigans

[Faux pas]

1. K N R

[EdwardBernays]

2. Donors to the Clinton Foundation

Were almost twice as likely to have their arms deals approved by the State Department when Hillary was in charge.

Many of the companies and countries that got these deals are represented by the lobbying firm owned by Hillary's Campaign Chairman, who was at the time Obama's "Personal Advisor". Before that he was Chief of Staff in Bill Clinton's White House. All while owning a lobbying form that represents Big Pharma, Big Banks and foreign governments. Like Saudi Arabia.

[Fuddnik]

3. Goddamn Right!

And we're sick of it.

I just posted a similar thread in the Economy Forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/111676242

[senz]

21. This is EXACTLY what it is.

It used to be considered shocking, a scandal. Now it's ho-hum, everyone does it.

It should never be allowed in public office. Never, never, never.

Even the appearance of it, if at all believable, should be enough to sink a politician.

[Betty Karlson]

60. It is sinking one so far. About time. eom.

[msongs]

4. bribery is a crime. got links and proof? one with evidence might get off DU and call the FBI :-) nt

[99th_Monkey]

8. A Wink & a Nod will do just fine when you belong to the Big Club, n/t

[Avalux]

10. Citizens United enables legalized bribery, that's why it MUST be overturned. n/t

[CSStrowbridge]

12. Idiots.

"Citizens United enables legalized bribery, that's why it MUST be overturned."

And Hillary Clinton said overturning Citizens United would be a litmus test for any supreme court justice nominee.

[99th_Monkey]

17. Condone & defend my bribery today, so I can put a stop to bribery tomorrow.. n/t

[asuhornets]

70. You're so

full of it.

[basselope]

68. Not exactly...

What she actually said was... "I will do everything I can to appoint Supreme Court justices who protect the right to vote and do not protect the right of billionaires to buy elections"

That is a lot different than saying outright it would be a litmus test for ANY nominee.

[CSStrowbridge]

13. Of course they don't have evidence.

Of course they don't have evidence. If facts mattered to them, they wouldn't be lying about Hillary Clinton over and over and over again.

[Fuddnik]

34. Lying?

She has a track record.

And there are campaign finance reports.

[scottie55]

43. Media Investigation? = Hell No

Their job is to run cover.

Problem just as bad as Citizen's United.

[senz]

24. It's also an act, an unacceptable behavior on the part of politicians.

Whether or not it translates into an accusation, a formal charge, a trial, a punishment, it is morally wrong and deserves censure from the public.

[A Simple Game]

49. Proof? It really doesn't matter.

In politics perception is 90% of reality, a politician that doesn't know that deserves to lose.

[840high]

5. In my neck of the woods we

still call it bribery.

[ErikJ]

6. But she DID tell the banksters to "Cut it out!"

Yup. She's serious.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, 99th_Monkey.

[chknltl]

9. Do we want a government run by bribery?

If Paul Ryan or Mitch McConnell said: “You will not find that I changed a view or a vote because of donations I received.” would you be ok with it? Would you be ok with any Republican elected politician saying those words? Is THIS the way you want our future as a democracy to be cemented? Surely our Republican friends will be quick to remind us that if it is OK for Clinton then it must be OK for everyone!

Are the citizens in charge of our government or is Big $$ in charge of our government? That is the choice here.

[99th_Monkey]

11. This issue probably will probably fade into obscurity in the GE, if Hillary is the nominee.

Because Republicans do this all the time, it's business as usual for them.

But I'd like to think the Democratic Party -- the party of the people -- would
not tolerate it in a primary candidate for even one minute, much less defend
it as no big deal.

[A Simple Game]

50. Then we better hope Trump isn't the Republican candidate because he may have

a cancelled check with Hillary's signature on it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. I half expect someone to try to claim there's no difference between cash and votes....

You have the politician that promises to the rich and gets paid with cash and the politician that makes promises to the poor and gets votes. Votes don't pay for the dry cleaning.

[senz]

27. Well, since the SCOTUS declared money = speech

you are clearly onto something, Spitfire. But, hey, some of know you're generally ahead of the times, as comedians often are!

Actually, what you wrote could be developed into a fine op-ed and given a wider audience.

[Dustlawyer]

61. ...but, but, Chief Justice John Roberts said there is "no quid pro quo!"

He also said that there is no more racism when they struck down big parts of the Voting Rights Act!

To deny that campaign contributions and Super Pacs are not influencing politicians is to ignore studies and basic human nature. This has cost us our Representative Democracy, something that hundreds of thousands of our soldiers have died to protect. Politicians only represent Donors now, not the people. Anyone who disagrees with this statement is either lying, or they are so lost in the bubble of propaganda that they need to see a professional that specializes in undoing cult brainwashing techniques!

Is this who we want controlling our government? Are the unwashed and washed masses too ignorant and stupid that we should just let the elite, wealthy power brokers continue to run our country? If you wish to believe that these companies and plutocrats give these huge donations to Hillary and Bill, pay all of that money to the Clintons just because they like them, then you may need reprogramming. Well over $170,000,000 was paid to the Clintons for over 700 speeches since 2001. That's F' you money! Can you honestly say that they did not intend to influence Hillary? Do you honestly believe that all of that money, and all of the rubbing elbows with these people for 40 years had no effect on her? If you do, then you are naive to the point that you need to stop voting and see a psychiatrist!

[senz]

64. Oh but now she's visiting Flint. See? She's not corrupt after all.

She always cared more about the 99% than the 1% but just couldn't figure out how to express it until her aides came up with the idea of visiting Flint.

Viola! The "real Hillary!" At last!

[Fuddnik]

14. Kleptocracy at it's finest.

The fact that some people try to justify it, or make excuses for it is truly frightening.

Just how much corruption is tolerable?

[TIME TO PANIC]

16. K & R!

[Nanjeanne]

18. As a good Republican once said way back in 1905 . . .

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[99th_Monkey]

23. Thanks for the reminder: it's not a "new" or "radical" idea, to stop the bribery epedemic in DC. nt

[senz]

29. Absolutely, Nanjeanne. It is basic public morality. nt

[appalachiablue]

53. +1 Graft, bribery and corruption. We've forgot those terms for white collar criminal activities

in this neoliberal economic era of 30 years that glorifies the destructive overfinancialization of the global economy profiting from widespread FRAUD, as Bernie correctly states.

[Romulox]

19. Oh, they don't expect anything in return!

[cantbeserious]

20. Right On - Can't Add To That - Well Said

eom

[HereSince1628]

22. And places where it was common were referred to as corrupt.

1. lacking in integrity; open to or involving bribery or other dishonest practices: a corrupt official; corrupt practices in an election.
2. morally depraved
3. putrid or rotten
4. contaminated; unclean
5. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (of a text or manuscript) made meaningless or different in meaning from the original by scribal errors or alterations
6. (Computer Science) (of computer programs or data) containing errors


Interesting that the first example refers to politics.

[closeupready]

25. Absolutely. Been saying this for decades, but "money is speech"

we're supposed to be brainwashed to parrot.

Sorry, folks. Bribery is bribery.

Once, we mocked "banana republics" for their phony governments in which bribery was the only way to get things done.

K&R

[99th_Monkey]

26. Yep! Bernie's the only candidate who's not exploiting CU, and he deserves to be applauded

and supported for that; and is entitled to draw contrasts with his opponent on this issue of legalized bribery.

[azmom]

28. Enough is enough.

It's corruption plain and simple.

[senz]

30. K&R -- beautiful, necessary OP, 99th_Monkey.

I hope it rises to the level of public consciousness. So needed, if this democracy is to survive.

[99th_Monkey]

31. Thank you senz. n/t

[grasswire]

32. Go, Monkey, go!! nt

[PoliticalMalcontent]

33. Hard to dispute a definition, unless you believe the banks weren't trying to curry favor. Anybody?

[senz]

40. ... crickets ...

[corkhead]

35. It's not a bribe when she is already doing their bidding willingly.

[99th_Monkey]

37. Someone made that case yesterday, and it does have some merit

except that in this case, the candidate -- at the same time -- is also trying to lay claim to being
the standard-bearer for "getting tough on Wall St."

Yes I saw your sarcasm smilie, but I could't resist pointing out that the argument has a shred of
merit.

Thank you for your post & kicking-it.

[A Simple Game]

52. Is a reward actually a bribe after the fact? I don't remember the details but wasn't there

something about Reagan going to Japan almost immediately after leaving office and receiving a million dollars for a speech?

Sorry I was wrong. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20121579,00.html It was 2 million but it did take a few days to earn it.

I also believe George the wiser got many multiple million when he left office.

President Carter built a house for a poor family.

[corkhead]

54. Yes, AFTER they left office, when their influence on policy is limited. Not BEFORE they were running

It's not about the dollar amount, I would have no more of a problem with it than I do with an athlete or movie star making what they do. It's that she would do this gravy train while waiting for the next Presidential cycle.

[senz]

36. Kick, dammit!! Let's keep this visible!

[BainsBane]

38. To call your claims weak would be a compliment

The sum total of your "proof" is that she didn't work on a particular bill while running for President in 2007-08. That you omit her vote on the issue tells me that she likely voted for it.

Here is her voting record on housing. http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/55463/hillary-clinton/39/housing-and-property#.VrZddlgrLWI
Why don't you tell us which bill you are referring to?

Here is her actual voting record on finance: http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/55463/hillary-clinton/84/finance-and-banking#.VrZeFlgrLWI

Your charges above contain no attribution, source or even a link. They are a smear that says far more about your own character than hers.


If I were to assemble a list of all the bills Bernie didn't work on, it would take me from now until the convention.

But let's look at what he voted FOR: IMMUNITY for the corporate gun industry: a vote that helped deliver BILLIONS in profit to gun corporations, profits they make from the DEATHS of 33,000 Americans each and EVERY year.
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27110/bernie-sanders/37/guns#.VrZfaFgrLWI

$800 billion plus for Lockheed-Martin for the F-35. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/24583-bernie-sanders-doubles-down-on-f-35-support-days-after-runway-explosion


Yet your charge is that Clinton didn't work on a bill, and that some unnamed source said she had a conversation.

Meanwhile, you insist Sanders efforts in fundraising hundreds of thousands from those same banks is not a problem.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/sanders-democratic-fundraisers/index.html

The reaction to that combined with complete disregard for corporate favoritism and welfare that your candidate voted helped deliver shows that the issue means far less to you than undermining Clinton. You object to the fact a woman earned money the same way Democratic candidates you have voted for in the past have done. You call it bribery, with NO EVIDENCE. You don't even have enough to constitute innuendo.
You are in no position to question anyone else's integrity.

[99th_Monkey]

45. I added that Kos LINK, to the complete article, with even more embedded LINKS in the article.

to the OP, on edit. And I'm posting it here too, just for you.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/4/1479904/-Clinton-Last-Night-Name-Anything-Wall-Street-Has-Influenced-Me-On-OK-I-Will
You asked for more links, so I hope you find those embedded in the article helpful.

This is not only about ONE housing bill that Clinton tepidly voted for, finally when
if came up for a vote; it is about a pattern of silence, kid-glove treatment and/or outright
support of her Wall St. 'constituents'.

Whether or not Hillary taking all that money influenced her to behave in this ^ manner,
is certainly open for discussion; and I'm sure people will --upon examining the information --
come to their own conclusion about the degree of influence that the money may have had.

You apparently have no problem with how Hillary has comported herself in relation to her
Wall St. connections. Fine. I feel no need to insult you or impugn your integrity (or Hillary's
for that matter). But I do feel it's important for voters to have full information about how a
candidate's major donors may (or may not) effect their decisions while in public office.

Your insistence that Hillary's decades-long cozy relationship to Wall St. (and Goldman
Sachs in particular) is somehow comparable to Bernie participating in annual Democratic
Party fundraisers at Martha's Vineyard -- an assertion that has been the subject
of scores of OPs in the last several days -- is absurd on it's face, and I have no further
comment on that, except to simply refer you to the replies to those OPs.

[Enthusiast]

39. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[NurseJackie]

41. Nonsense. Just absurd.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

42. Your willful blindness, or the allegation that they took

$153 MILLION, INCLUDING 7.7 FOR HILLARY, from the banking conspiracy alone?

Wow, you sure think things through rigorously.
By the way, I have this deal on some land in Florida. You seem to be the perfect client for it. You will not believe how cheap it is.

[emsimon33]

44. Anyone who would think that all that money doesn't buy influence is an idiot!

What gets me is that Hillary thinks her supporters are so dumb and blind that they would buy that BS!

[southerncrone]

46. Some of us still do call it that.

[cascadiance]

47. Warren notes heavily how she completely changed her vote on the bankruptcy bill as Senator Clinton..

... when she earlier got Bill Clinton to veto an earlier version of this as first lady.

If it wasn't a money bribe that had you change your vote on this to favor the banksters Clinton, then what was it? I think you OWE Americans an explanation in context with your claim that "money hasn't changed your vote"...

Sam Sedar and the Majority Report think so too. Thom Hartmann also brought up this video on his RT show as well.

[99th_Monkey]

48. Thank you for a solid contribution to the discussion. Very relevent. nt

[JackInGreen]

51. Damned right

We've diffused it to a business transaction in language and law.

[MariaThinks]

55. i wonder if Bernie supporters are anti-women?

Last edited Sun Feb 7, 2016, 06:48 PM - Edit history (1)

[Fuddnik]

56. !

Keep wondering.

[CrispyQ]

57. We used to call it war profiteering, too,

but now Congress makes millions on sending our kids to war. All those tax dollars going into products that you use once or a few times or that you leave behind when you tuck tail & run. These assholes are making serious money investing our tax dollars into wholesale destruction. This is why we can't have free college.

I'm sick of the whole fucking thing. I think I can hold my nose & vote for HRC if she gets the nom, but damn, it's gonna be tough.

[NowSam]

58. The courage to speak to truth to power

Good for you for saying what so many believe to be true.

[baran]

59. K & R nt

[SoapBox]

62. Kicking!

And Rec'ing.

[UglyGreed]

63. .

[Pryderi]

65. The Psychology of Sales: Why Reciprocity Matters

You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
By understanding this unconscious social convention, you can begin to use it to your advantage in the world of business. You’ve likely seen organisations giving away free gifts and free samples, and this is a prime example of reciprocity. A gift may only be a cheap branded pen, but never underestimate its power as a sales tool.

A lead or customer may not buy directly after receiving a free gift, but when they do become sales-ready, the likelihood is that they’ll remember their obligation to the company who gave them something, and be more open to the possibility of buying from them.

https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2013/10/sales-psychology-of-selling.html

[NorthCarolina]

66. GRAFT

Graft, a form of political corruption, is the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. The term has its origins in the medical procedure whereby tissue is removed from one location and attached to another for which it was not originally intended. Similarly, political graft occurs when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirected in order to maximize the benefits to private interests.

[LS_Editor]

67. Hillary Reminds Americans Wall Street Bribes Completely Legal

Satire warning.

Hillary Reminds Americans Wall Street Bribes Completely Legal

WASHINGTON (The Nil Admirari) - Earlier today, Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminded Americans the speaking fees and other forms of compensation she had received from Wall Street were completely legal. Secretary Clinton's public service announcement was her response to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont accusing her of corruption and being a pawn of Wall Street, which he repeated during their debate last night.

+

"That's just how things work. So Americans need to stop being idealistic fools and vote for me," demanded Clinton.

[asuhornets]

69. Bribery???

Forget the right-wing smears folks..Right before our very eyes....SO SAD

[99th_Monkey]

71. Even this Republican strongly stood against huge Corporate money in politics.

[asuhornets]

72. I can not believe you post that. n/t

Republicans have never met a Corporation that they did not love. everyone knows that.