Print
E-mail
Venetian Way Would Help To Wipe Out Political Corruption
By TOM QUINN, For The Bulletin
Corruption is killing America. And nowhere have its effects been more devastating than in the way it has become the modus operandi of our political class.
Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets. That’s why politicians routinely do what is personally profitable rather than the will of the people who elected them. Recent events in Illinois and with the bailouts prove this. But it doesn’t have to be this way. One simple change could end corruption forever and it’s already been done – in Venice.
Venice was the most successful republic in the history of the world. The greatest honor a man could attain there was to serve the state, but it came with a stiff price.
Venetians punished corruption with a vengeance. Only treason was considered a worse crime. If found to be corrupt, an official was banished and his personal possessions forfeited. This was so effective that the Republic of Venice lasted 1,100 years from 697-1797. She was also an economic powerhouse and she was free. Public officials carefully guarded their reputations for honesty. Even the doge or duke, was required to furnish the official residence with his own money. He was never allowed to be alone with anyone except his wife nor could he leave the doge’s palace without an escort.
Let’s learn from the Venetians and change the way we pick our elected officials. Let’s ask anyone who wishes to serve us in elected or appointed office to sign a incorruptible pledge. This would consist of the following binding points:
• A solemn promise to avoid all specified forms of corruption.
• A pre-signed resignation letter to instantly take effect if found guilty of corruption.
• If found guilty by a corruption court, the signer agrees to the following penalties: Forfeit ninety-percent of all assets and all retirement monies and benefits – no exceptions, no right of appeal and loss of citizenship and deportation.
Now, who would be crazy enough to sign such a pledge? Only incorruptibles. And isn’t that who we want holding the public trust?
How can we be sure this will work? By the hoots and hollers of those who object those fat cat elected officials, appointed career bureaucrats and their media enablers.
You know – the ones in federal, state and local governments who spend our money like water because they are not held accountable.
The good news is we don’t need an act of Congress to make this change. All we need is to demand the Incorruptible Pledge in exchange for our votes. Do I hear Incorruptible Party? Why not the incorruptible wings of the Republican and Democrat parties?
How do we get started? Easy, only vote for incorruptibles. Imagine an election between a pledged incorruptible and someone refusing to sign. Done. And what elected official would appoint someone to a post who wouldn’t sign the pledge? If he or she did, that person would be risking suspicion of their own corruption.
Now this is change we can believe in.
Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets. That’s why politicians routinely do what is personally profitable rather than the will of the people who elected them. Recent events in Illinois and with the bailouts prove this. But it doesn’t have to be this way. One simple change could end corruption forever and it’s already been done – in Venice.
Venice was the most successful republic in the history of the world. The greatest honor a man could attain there was to serve the state, but it came with a stiff price.
Venetians punished corruption with a vengeance. Only treason was considered a worse crime. If found to be corrupt, an official was banished and his personal possessions forfeited. This was so effective that the Republic of Venice lasted 1,100 years from 697-1797. She was also an economic powerhouse and she was free. Public officials carefully guarded their reputations for honesty. Even the doge or duke, was required to furnish the official residence with his own money. He was never allowed to be alone with anyone except his wife nor could he leave the doge’s palace without an escort.
Let’s learn from the Venetians and change the way we pick our elected officials. Let’s ask anyone who wishes to serve us in elected or appointed office to sign a incorruptible pledge. This would consist of the following binding points:
• A solemn promise to avoid all specified forms of corruption.
• A pre-signed resignation letter to instantly take effect if found guilty of corruption.
• If found guilty by a corruption court, the signer agrees to the following penalties: Forfeit ninety-percent of all assets and all retirement monies and benefits – no exceptions, no right of appeal and loss of citizenship and deportation.
Now, who would be crazy enough to sign such a pledge? Only incorruptibles. And isn’t that who we want holding the public trust?
How can we be sure this will work? By the hoots and hollers of those who object those fat cat elected officials, appointed career bureaucrats and their media enablers.
You know – the ones in federal, state and local governments who spend our money like water because they are not held accountable.
The good news is we don’t need an act of Congress to make this change. All we need is to demand the Incorruptible Pledge in exchange for our votes. Do I hear Incorruptible Party? Why not the incorruptible wings of the Republican and Democrat parties?
How do we get started? Easy, only vote for incorruptibles. Imagine an election between a pledged incorruptible and someone refusing to sign. Done. And what elected official would appoint someone to a post who wouldn’t sign the pledge? If he or she did, that person would be risking suspicion of their own corruption.
Now this is change we can believe in.
 |
 |
|
| Shared Prosperity Just A New Name For A Doomed System | Let Us Never Forget WWII Generation |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thebulletin.us.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
