MONEY TALKS IN MANY TONGUES

What's good for Wal-Mart
 is good for America

Remember the furor a while ago when Wal-Mart was accused of bribing Mexican officials in order to expand its reach in that country. 

Their stock lost billions in value on the New York Stock Exchange before you could say, “Low prices. Every day. On Everything.”

I say, “Good for Wal-Mart”.

And Siemens paid $800,000 to Uncle Sam to settle charges that it had paid $100 million in bribes to Argentine officials, including former President Carlos Menem, to secure a $1 billion contract for Siemens.

 I say, “Good for Siemens and for all the other companies that have been and are paying bribes to do business in all the emerging markets and some of the developed markets. That’s the way business is done in China, India, Russia etc. etc. and why should our companies be handicapped?”

And before we turn our noses up at the way bribery is part of the fabric in much of the world let’s not brush under the carpet the fact that American companies spend hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars bribing U.S. public officials (and any one else they feel they have to) in order to further their own business.

 THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT WE CLAIM TO BE HOLIER THAN THOU - - - NO BRIBES UNDER THE TABLE. WE BRIBE RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN IN THE FORM OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TO THOSE HOPING TO BE ELECTED.

And don’t tell me that there isn’t quid pro quo. How many “bridges and roads to nowhere” have been built in the U.S?

         And what about the mega millions paid to lobbyists to influence legislation. It’s just a sugarcoated bribe. Just think of how many billions Wall Street hedge fund managers have saved by the legislation that taxes their income at 15% instead of as ordinary income. It’s dead wrong, but there’s too much money sloshing around from the fat cats to do anything about it

     And does your son or daughter want to grow up to be an ambassador in a posh location. Please don’t tell them to study and work hard and eat their spinach. Just tell them to become a major political contributor, and learn a few words of French.

     And if you think Judges are beyond the pale, just listen to a few episodes of “The Good Wife” and similar TV programs.

     And do you, “wanna get your parking ticket fixed.” Ask your local “pol”.

   And, why in the world did Bill Clinton pardon Marc Rich who was indicted for tax evasion. His wife, Denise, was a major contributor and fundraiser.

     I say “Way to go Bill,” but I can’t say I approve his smoking cigars in the White House. It sets a bad example for the children.”

  And bribery is in our blood outside of the political arena as well.

     And does your son or daughter want to get into a prestigious school where there are only a limited number of openings. (Remember how Sandy Weill donated (paid) $1,000,000 to get two of his star employees' daughters into a highly regarded YMHA school in Manhattan. Yes I know there was more to it than that but that’s for another blog.”

     And how about the Super Bowl Junkets, trips to The US Golf Open, Wimbledon, where corporate executives pull out all the stops in keep getting business from their biggest clients and to win over new ones. I say,  “Good for them and I wish I’d been invited somewhere, anywhere, when I was working.”
     And I think it's great that generals and admirals who retire are hired within a fortnight by the very defense contractors to whom they had awarded billion dollar contracts.

      And I think it is great that public officials who commit illegal acts get re-elected. The public ain’t dummies. It’s better to vote for someone when we know what crooked deals he’s been involved in than vote for someone whose nefarious deals haven’t come to light as yet.

     I’m all for it. I'll give you a box of cigars if you recommend an advertiser to my BLOG.