[Graeme]

The world's biggest threat is corruption, not nuclear weapons

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'L')ast week I held my fourth hunger strike since being jailed on trumped-up charges in 2003. I did not do this to raise awareness of how my own legal case has been unfairly handled. The courts' actions have made it clear that I am going to be imprisoned no matter what. But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who has taken the initiative to fight corruption in law enforcement in our country, should know how his efforts are being undercut by his own officials.

The rise of corruption leads me to an inescapable conclusion: While world leaders are proving capable of addressing nuclear terrorism, one of the most difficult issues facing the international community, they still must do more to address such evils as corruption, which holds entire peoples and countries hostage.

Corruption slows economic growth and fuels political instability. Consider our transportation infrastructure: Russia is a huge country of bad roads. The pathway to a modern economy and a better life should be freshly paved, but corruption is destroying even this simple hope. A mile of expressway costs Russian taxpayers three to four times more than in Europe, largely because of bribes and kickbacks. Even at this high price, poor-quality work guarantees that repairs will be needed, inviting opportunities for even more corruption.

Leading countries must fortify their arsenal of economic and regulatory weapons to identify and target offshore companies and banks that operate under the control of corrupt officials. Such a campaign will succeed only if the Group of 20 cooperates and makes battling corruption a higher priority. This is no less important than the continuation of nuclear disarmament. For if the world doesn't stop global corruption, corruption is going to stop the development of humanity.

[Keith_McClary]

How about corrupt officials that operate under control of companies and banks? We call that "liberal democracy".

[Tyler_JC]

And how do you fight corruption by handing over more power to corrupt public officials and their friends in "private" industry?

[ElleS]

Corruption is one of the oldest problem that until now is not yet given a proper remedy. I think all the countries in the world is facing this even America with the Obama Administration. Corruption is indeed a great bomb that attacks to every success of one's country. It is really a big question on how can we escape from corruption.

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ElleS', 'C')orruption is one of the oldest problem that until now is not yet given a proper remedy. I think all the countries in the world is facing this even America with the Obama Administration. Corruption is indeed a great bomb that attacks to every success of one's country. It is really a big question on how can we escape from corruption.

[ian807]

We have met the enemy and he is us.

[Umber]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ian807', 'W')e have met the enemy and he is us.

[Keith_McClary]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'C')urruption is utterly endemic because it is utterly human. It is a 100% fact that only very wealthy countries can afford to fight corruptuion

[Pops]

We in the capitalist economy have made corruption obsolete via the corporation.
The sole purpose of a corporation is to make a profit and protect the principles from liability. What is there to corrupt?
The watchdogs in government need not be very watchful nor very bulldogish to earn their salary. What is there to corrupt?

Corruption is old school.

[ian807]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Umber', 'P')ogo, wasn't it?
Umber

[PrestonSturges]

In the US, the greatest force pushing towards corruption is the Tea Party, which is a corporate controlled Trojan Horse for deregulation propping up candidates that don't know anything about laws except that they don't like them very much. Which is why many of their candidates run into legal problems right out of the gate, and the GOP has pinned their hopes on people that will be hobbled by investigations by election day.

It's not as if the corporate media covers corruption either. Fox's "America's Shiniest Object" is another powerful force for corruption by focusing on hoaxes (ACORN, Climategate, Sestak, not to mention "czars," teleprompters, talking to school kids, feet on the desk, reconciliation, bailouts, Memorial Day) that serve to isolate their viewers from anything resembling reality.

If you want an example of the zaniness of Chicago corruption nontroversies, here's a new one - Obama is letting the oil gush because dispersants are made by a Chicago company. And U Chicago Argonne labs are in on it, because well they are in Chicago. Don't you see it?
http://www.blogster.com/joannemor/bombs ... -of-mexico

[Cloud9]

Corruption is the corners stone of politics. It’s only a dirty word if it works against you. If it works for you, then you are connected, the receiver of the largess and presumed brilliant. Have no fear, the party will continue until it stops.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Cloud9', 'C')orruption is the corners stone of politics. It’s only a dirty word if it works against you. If it works for you, then you are connected, the receiver of the largess and presumed brilliant. Have no fear, the party will continue until it stops.