Political Corruption
There is a lot of political corruption that goes on within our political system, even though many people aren’t aware of it. But there are also political corruption scandals within the political system that make headline news.
There are different forms of political corruption that can occur within a political system. Usually political corruption consists of the use of ones power or position to gain an advantage or money, like extortion. Political corruption has been around since the Europeans settled in America. The people highest in charge used their power and positions to enrich themselves in every way. The United States Constitution helped the political system and change the corrupt ways. One of the most famous political corruption scandals in our political system was the Watergate scandals. Watergate were a series of American political corruption scandals during the presidency of Richard Nixon that resulted in his resignation and the indictment of several of his advisors. They were trying to get one over on the political system by breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Office complex in 1972. They performed numerous counts of political corruption crimes including political espionage, sabotage, illegal break ins, campaign fraud, improper tax audits, illegal wiretapping on a huge scare and a secret slush fund laundered in Mexico to pay those who conducted the illegal operations. That secret fund also was used as bribe money to silence the men who were indicted for the break in. This political corruption scandal was one of the biggest in the political system. There is a problem with political corruption within the political system, other than it being wrong, it usually is detected after a situation has already occurred. But usually, when there are scandals within a political system, laws are passed shortly after to ensure that there are consequences to those who try to pull the same political corruption scandals again. All forms of government and political systems are susceptible to political corruption. There are different types of political corruption including extortion, graft, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, bribery and embezzlement. In some nations, political corruption is so common that officials within the political system interact publicly with businesses or citizens. What is considered illegal in one country may be legal in another. Bribery is one of the most common forms of political corruption that goes on within the political system. Just recently, former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has been under investigation for corruption within the political system. He was charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and soliciting bribes, trying to sell the Senate seat of Barack Obama. Corruption within the political system is widespread and has great effects on people around the world.
Every political system is different, but they all are coming up with laws to stop political corruption and also toughening the sentences for people tried for corruption within the political system. Political corruption hopefully one day will be nonexistent and the sentence for those who take part it in will be harsher.