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Political Corruption

Afghanistan, Iraq Among The World's Most Corrupt Countries

AP | KIRSTEN GRIESHABER | Posted 11.17.2009 | World

Read More: Corruption, Political Corruption, Somalia, Afghanistan Corruption, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq Corruption, World News

BERLIN — Afghanistan has slipped three places to become the world's second most-corrupt country despite billions in aid meant to bolster the gov...

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Bloomberlusconi Wins in New York!

Tony Hendra | Posted 11.04.2009 | New York

Read More: Bloomberg, Political-Corruption, Berlusconi, Mayoral Race, New York, New York News
Tony Hendra

Flouting the law, sneering at democracy, bachelor-at-large Michele Bloomberlusconi triumphed yesterday in his flagrant third-time purchase of the top spot in the supposedly smartest city in the world.

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It's Congress: Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands After Hearings

Dave Lindorff | Posted 09.30.2009 | Politics

Read More: Health Care Reform, Political Corruption, Democratic Congress, Lobbyists, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Politics News
Dave Lindorff

I'm reminded of an incident in a bathroom in Europe by the recent efforts in Congress to produce a health care reform bill

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American Plutocracy: Corruption Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Stuart Whatley | Posted 08.31.2009 | Politics

Read More: Corruption, House of Representatives, Mike Ross, Congress, Afghanistan, Lobbying, Lobbyists, Bribery, Campaign Finance, Senate, Congressional Fundraising, Chuck Grassley, Health, Blue Dogs, Health Care Reform, Max Baucus, Political Corruption, Graft, Healthcare Lobbyists, Fundraising, Health Care, Healthcare, Blue Dog Democrats, Politics News
Stuart Whatley

Most police officers in America do not require greased-palms for their services. But if one wishes to attend a chicken cordon bleu dinner with Senator Max Baucus of Montana, it will cost him $10,000

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The Failure of Democracy in West Virginia: Redefining "Alternative" Energy

Jerry Cope | Posted 08.14.2009 | Green

Read More: Coal-to-Liquids, Carbon Emissions, Alternative Energy, Greenhouse Gases, West Virginia, Carbon Credits, Political Corruption, Climate Change, Democracy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Joe Manchin, Coal, Renewable Energy, Clean Energy, SB 297, Energy Portfolio Standard Bill, Epa, Obama Administration, Appalachia, Green News
Jerry Cope

Alternative energy is a standard reference to energy sources that are not carbon based. But in West Virginia, many of the designated "alternative" energy sources contribute not only significantly more GHG emissions than the dirtiest conventional coal fired plants, they emit toxic pollutants as well.

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"Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely"

Hannah Fisher | Posted 07.18.2009 | World

Read More: Abuse of Power, Houses of Parliament, Law, Political Corruption, British Expense Scandal, Politics, Rule of Law, UK Politics, Law and Order, Gordon Brown, British Politics, World News
Hannah Fisher

The legitimacy of Parliament will remain open to dispute until promise of change actuates into real reform.

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More Reform Needed in Illinois

Rep. Jack Franks | Posted 07.17.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Reform, Illinois Foia Laws, Illinois Recall, Springfield Reform, Illinois Corruption, Illinois General Assembly, Political Corruption, Chicago News
Rep. Jack Franks

Illinois must re-evaluate its redistricting rules, which currently favor incumbents by allowing them to choose their constituents, rather than the people choosing their legislator.

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One Man's Vote, One Man's Elected Pain

Derrick K. Baker | Posted 06.14.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Corruption, Illinois Politics, God Complex, Illinois Political Corruption, Barack Obama, Rod Blagojevich, Political Corruption, George Ryan, Chicago News
Derrick K. Baker

I've come to conclude that akin to the God complex that suits many law enforcement types is a certain gene that is part and parcel of how people who aspire to public office are wired.

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Corruption

Shashi Tharoor | Posted 06.11.2009 | World

Read More: Corruption, India, Political Corruption, Tharoor, Shashi, Shashi-Tharoor, Shashi Tharoor, World News
Shashi Tharoor

For the affluent, corruption is at worst a nuisance; for the salaried middle-class, it can be an indignity and a burden; but for the poor, it is often a tragedy.

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Crooked Politicians Costing Illinois $300M In 'Corruption Tax': Professor

AP | ANDREA ZELINSKI | Posted 04.30.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Hired Truck, Video, Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Corruption, Illinois Corruption, Political Corruption, Illinois Corruption Tax, George Ryan, Dick Simpson, Operation Silver Shovel, Cook County Corruption, Chicago-Illinois, Chicago News

As taxpayers look down the barrel of a major income tax increase, another tax already is draining their wallets. But this one isn't found anywhere in ...

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Blagojevich, Burris and a Few Broken Hands

Alden Loury | Posted 04.19.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Chicago Politics, Pat Quinn, Rod Blagojevich, Michael Madigan, Mobsters, Political Corruption, Roland Burris, Dick Mell, Illinois Politics, Illinois Corruption, Blagojevich Scandal, Harlem Nights, Chicago News
Alden Loury

We have a long track record of political disasters in this state, and the folks on the inside need to be taught that the people of Illinois have had enough. We don't need more promises of reform.

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Pulp (Non-) Fiction: The Blagojevich Book Deal

Karen Stabiner | Posted 04.05.2009 | Media

Read More: Best-Seller, Political Corruption, Blagojevich Scandal, Publishing, Print Journalism, Book Deal, Rod Blagojevich, Phoenix Books, Blagojevich Book, Blagojevich Book Deal, Media News
Karen Stabiner

He's getting six figures to tell us what really happened when he didn't, he swears, do any of the things that the rest of the world seems to believe he did. A fairly cushy bully pulpit, with no one interrupting to ask embarrassing questions.

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Did Judd Gregg Conceal Donors Who Received Millions In TSA Contracts While He Served As Approps Chair?

Mark Nickolas | Posted 03.08.2009 | Politics

Read More: Senate Appropriations Committee, TSA Contracts, Homeland Security, Hal Rogers, Appropriations, Political Corruption, Judd Gregg, Pay to Play, FEC Reports, Politics News
Mark Nickolas

Did Gregg deliberately conceal nearly a dozen contributors to his leadership PAC -- White Mountain PAC -- at the very time he served as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee?

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Obama's Lesson on Campaign Finance

Jim Jaffe | Posted 02.22.2009 | Politics

Read More: Political Corruption, Obama, Campaign, Federal Election Commission, Campaign Contributions, Campaign Money Watch, Obama Fundraising, Politics News
Jim Jaffe

If you don't have enough friends to donate their time or money to help elect you, it is extremely unlikely that you'll later have enough friends to vote you into office.

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Religous Leaders Call For Morality In Government

Chicago Public Radio | Lynette Kalsnes | Posted 02.12.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Society of Christian Ethics, Good Government, Chicago Politics, Chicago Corruption, Political Corruption, Moral Government, Chicago News

Religious professors and clergy from across the nation just finished meeting in Chicago to take on the ethics of public officials. The Christian and ...

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Sheila Dixon: Indicted For Using Money For The Poor On A Personal Shopping Spree

AP | BEN NUCKOLS | Posted 02.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Sheila Dixon, Baltimore, Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics News

BALTIMORE — Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted Friday on charges that she accepted illegal gifts during her time as mayor and City Council presiden...

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Feasting on Dinner Table Politics

Amy Sue Nathan | Posted 02.06.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Rod Blagojevich, Parenting Advice, Blago, Parenting and Politics, The Blago Years, Political Corruption, Blagogate, Parenting and Teens, Chicago News
Amy Sue Nathan

Just like I call my daughter to the TV to see the Jonas brothers, I call my almost-17-year-old son to stand with me in front of the not-so-wide screen to see Blago.

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When Another Senate Seat Was Up for Sale

Robert Loerzel | Posted 02.06.2009 | Chicago

Read More: William Lorimer, Political Corruption, Obama Senate Seat, Senate, Blagojevich Scandal, Chicago Politics, Illinois Politics, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Corruption, Chicago News
Robert Loerzel

A hundred years ago, political tensions were running high in Illinois. Everyone wanted to know the answer to one question: Who would be the new U.S. Senator from Illinois?

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Tools

Norman Horowitz | Posted 01.29.2009 | Politics

Read More: Corruption, Greed, Law Enforcement, Worldcom, S&L, Epa, Enron, Obama Administration, Republican Conservatives, Jaywalking, Fda, Bernie Madoff, Tools, Security and Exchange Commission, Political Corruption, Financial Crisis, Economic Corruption, Politics News
Norman Horowitz

Society does not work when it takes for granted the system's corruptibility. Make laws to protect society and expect them to be enforced.

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Free Fall: December 2008.

Giles Slade | Posted 01.22.2009 | Business

Read More: U.S. Economy, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Madoff, Recession 2008, The Internet, Economic Bloggers, Hanukkah, Holiday Shopping, Blagojevich, Selling Senate Seat, Economic Crisis, Holiday Season Commentary, Production, Merry Christmas, Christmas Commentary, Recession, Layoffs, Chanukah, Job Cuts, Economic Free Fall, Political Bloggers, Recession Fears, Political Corruption, Financial Crisis, Political Bribes, Financial Corruption, Holiday Sales, Business News
Giles Slade

Here, at the end of the Bush years, the bottom has suddenly dropped out of the world and Americans are in mid-fall, struggling to stay upright and wondering when it will end.

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Blagojevich and Beijing: Political Corruption in China and America

Alexander Davenport | Posted 01.18.2009 | Politics

Read More: Corruption, Political Corruption, Rod Blagojevich, China, World News, Blagojevich Corruption, Politics News
Alexander Davenport

We decry corruption in government, yet in our day-to-day lives, the very same influence peddling that would be seen as corruption on a grander scale is somehow tolerated.

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Sell The Seat To Caroline

James Mulvaney | Posted 01.16.2009 | Politics

Read More: Poltical Satire, Chuck Schumer, Wealthy New Yorkers, Andrew Cuomo, New York State Deficit, Humor, Political Humor, Selling Senate Seat, Al Franken Recount, New York Senate Seat, Political Corruption, Blagojevich Scandal, Caroline Kennedy, Kirsten Gillibrand, Eliot Spitzer, Carolyn Maloney, Kennedy Family, Politics News
James Mulvaney

I'm not suggesting any criminal activity. I'm not suggesting you pocket the proceeds of a sale of the NY senate seat. Just have the candidate deposit it right in the treasury.

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The Wire: Season 6?

Alden Loury | Posted 01.16.2009 | Chicago

Read More: The Wire, Patrick Fitzgerald, Rod Blagojevich, Hbo, Wiretapping, Political Corruption, Barack Obama, Chicago News
Alden Loury

Hopefully there will be more in a sixth installment of The Wire. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich have shown us the way.

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Blagojevich Charges: 'Just Politics'?

AP | NANCY BENAC | Posted 01.11.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Political Money, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich Corruption, Criminalization of Politics, Campaign Fundraising, Rod Blagojevich, Dirty Money, Blagojevich Criminal, Blagojevich Charges, Political Corruption, Political Ethics, Blagojevich Complaint, Chicago News

WASHINGTON — Politicians make deals every day. They do favors and ask them in return. They kowtow to campaign contributors. It may be unsavory,...

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Nature Abhors a Vacuum but so do Wingnuts: The Bailout and our National Security

Lorelei Kelly | Posted 11.03.2008 | Politics

Read More: Iraq War, Wall Street Crisis, Conservatives, National Security, Terrorism, Missile Defense, The White House Project, Congressional Oversight, Sarah Palin Vice President, Political Corruption, Alaska, Palin Biden Debate, Counterinsurgency, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Politics News
Lorelei Kelly

Conservative lip service to ideas like free markets and a strong defense produced neither. These "values" were never actually turned into priorities for policy making.

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