Lobbying and Bribery
Practice of influencing governmental decisions by agents who serve special interests. The term originated in the 1830s, when representatives of interest groups wanted to influence legislative decisions tended to congregate in the lobbies of Congress and state legislatures. It is now used in a broader sense to include attempts to influence any governmental decisions. In the United States lobbying has become an accepted part of the political system, supplementing geographical representation.
Bribery is a criminal activity which is not directly dealt with under the lobbying law. However, the solicitation or acceptance by a legislator of something of pecuniary value from a lobbyist or principal may amount to a violation of the bribery statute if it is done with the understanding that the legislator will officially act in a certain manner or will do or omit to do any act in violation of a lawful duty.
Ignoring underlying basics - such as the commercial crassness involved and professionalized caricature the Olympics have become - the current flap over the bribery scandal in connection with the 2002 winter games in Utah has generated baffling counter-heat from parties who would normally be expected to line up in support of prosecution. Bribery is bribery. Nothing that is wrong is made right just because it may have become a common practice. Just because the Olympics were judged a "success" doesn't mean sins along the way should be buried and forgotten.
Much of the world and its peoples work through bribery, payoffs, and "greasing of wheels," but such practices prevent nations from ever reaching greatness. A past U.S. president sold political favors, massive corporate scandals have recently proliferated, and general dishonesty is growing - but none of that excuses local acts of bribery. Bribery in the 2002 Olympics in Utah has been admitted....
