COVID-19 2022: Don’t Sell Your Vote Short Series-Part 3: Who’s Minding the Store? Corruption, Ethics, Restitution & Deception

This part of the series will take an in-depth look into: Who’s Minding the Store? Corruption, Ethics, Restitution & Deception

Political corruption – is the use of powers by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain. Forms of corruption vary, but can include bribery, lobbying, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement.

America’s corrupt political system is a complex problem. The American Anti-Corruption Act is a comprehensive solution.

The American Anti-Corruption Act sets a standard for city, state and federal laws that break big money’s grip on politics spearheaded by Represent Us will:

Stop political bribery by making it illegal for lobbyists to lobby a politician and donate to their campaign. You can lobby, or you can donate, but you can’t do both. End secret money so Americans know who is buying political power. Fix our broken elections so the people, not the political establishment, are the ones in control.

Government ethics – applies to the processes, behavior, and policy of governments and the public officials who serve in elected or appointed positions. The role of government and its officials is to serve the public interest with ethical awareness and ethical actions. When governments serve the public interest and avoid engaging in behavior that promotes any private interests, they are acting for the common good.

Restitution – involves the court, as part of a sentence in a criminal case, ordering a defendant to compensate the victim for losses suffered as a result of the crime. All states have laws providing that convicted defendants pay restitution to their victims. Public policy favors imposing restitution as part of a sentence to force the offender to answer directly for the consequences of the crime.

Courts are required to consider restitution as part of any sentence, including plea bargains, even when the victim doesn’t request it. When a judge doesn’t order restitution or orders only partial restitution, many states require that judge to provide a justification on the record.

Deception – is an act or statement that misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage.

Are those seeking positions within government, private and nonprofit sectors on T.R.AC.K –Transparent, Accountable, Creditable and Knowledgeable? These issues and more will be discussed during the upcoming weeks heading into the mid- term elections. Make your vote count pass the primary and general elections. Be aware of smoking mirrors and hype.