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[pyrephox]

Congressman Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes

See, here's the thing I don't get. I've never really understood taking bribes. I mean, yes, if you're being paid crap, it would be tempting. But this is obviously a wealthy man, who likely hasn't wanted for just about anything of neccessity for decades. He has power and influence, and can buy his own damn vacations and antiques. So why on earth would you take a bribe? Even if someone offered you ten million dollars, for instance, if you had a million in the bank...where would be the appeal? You'd actually have to work to spend what you already have...why break the law in order to get more?

I don't get it. Why take that kind of risk for wealth you don't need?

Comments

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

It doesn't matter how much money you have. You will always want more, and very few people ever consider themselves rich unless they've been guilted into admitting it. Well off, but not rich.

The rich are the people who have more money than you.

[harlecerule.livejournal.com]

I really haven't got a clue. Mammon might be able to tell you, if he could get over his horror that you didn't feel the same.

[cpip.livejournal.com]

Because it's not about the wealth. It's about the power. It's about what will they sacrifice to sway you? What value does the supplicant place on your ability?

[cythraul.livejournal.com]

Slacktivist rides again.

[holyprophetril.livejournal.com]

Also, in certain bits of the world there's a cultural acceptance of taking bribes. It's assumed to bepart of the system - you get into politics and everyone pretends to ignore your corruption since, well, that's the system.

I have Stories of the happy corruption in Sarawak (east malaysia), where my mother is from.