• Maggoty@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      It proves that it already was and has been. Citizens United tipped their hand that anyone with money (regardless of citizenship) is welcome to play.

          • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            I know but if kickbacks are legal for the town mayor in federal law then it’s hard to see how they wouldn’t be legal for purchasing officials. The logic is that after the fact “gratuities” are just gifts.

            • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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              5 months ago

              Ethically one would say so, but legally there are different laws written that directly constrain things around bribery for career employees.

              Somehow I am extremely skeptical this ruling even applies, and if it does I think it only invalidates one of plethora of laws and regulations…

              If you take any training on how to get a contract with the government there is without fail a section that goes over the at least two laws, if not more, about why you can’t bribe them and how you shouldn’t bribe them in various ways.

      • exanime@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        regular federal officials were up for sale way before this… the combined “corporations are people” and “money is free speech” nonsense meant anyone can openly throw money at anyone up for election and that’s A-OK because free speech

    • r0ertel@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Isn’t this simply the natural progression of capitalism in action? Everything’s for sale, everything has a price.