Re: A note on corruption in the USA

[Kush Khatri <free_voice@yahoo.com>]

There is no new information contained in professor Vijay Prashad's
writing.  First, we all should know that Vijay Prashad and his
so-called "progressive" organization is an organization of die-hards
"leftists"-- whatever that means.  Sometime back I sent him an e-mail
asking him to define what "leftist" means.  He did not have the
courage to reply.

Now examine his note on corruption in the US.  I and others on this
discussion forum do not advocate that the US polity as it has evolved
this far, is pristine or has achieved perfection.  However, in
transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness to the public it is light
years ahead of India.

Notice how Vijay Prashad needlessly complicates the definition of
corruption.  Quite simply, corruption means SECRETLY obtaining favors
(financial or others) by virtue of your public (government) position
for your OWN PERSONAL USE.  But Vijay Prashad deviously puts a "moral"
twist into his definition of corruption and gives the impression that
the US society is about to breakdown as a result of this disease. 
Something not true at all.

I challenge Vijay Prashad to show any instances where funds have been
obtained seceretly by politicians for their personal use or the use of
their families through lobbying activities.  Show us examples of other
resources such as government property or personnel being used by
politicians for their personal use.
Where there are such instances they are most of the time exposed and
the guilty are inevitable tried and punished.  Compare that to India
where no politician to this date has been convicted or punished.

Yes, lobbying by influential corporations and people is a problem and
has undoubtedly eroded American democracy.  However, to compare
lobbying with blatant corruption that goes on in India is a clear case
of a false analogy.

What Mr. Prashad fails to point out is that funds collected by
politicians in US go into their campaign funds which are separate from
the politicians personal accounts.  Vijay Prashad also fails to points
out that information about these contributions is readily and easily
available to ALL in a matter of moments over the internet or by mail. 
I can give you the internet address in my next post.  I have
personally obtained such information on my representative in a few
seconds.  Prashad also fails to point out that these campain accounts
are audited and regular reports are submitted by all to the FEC.

Mr. Prashad very deviously tries to create the impression that the
American public at large has accepted the fact of lobbying in American
political life.  He does not mention that this issue of lobbying is on
the minds of all thinking people in the United States.  Already
thousands of independent groups have been formed by citizens to combat
this problem. In fact many rich and concerned citizens are
contributing to these organizations so that US democracy can move on
to the next high ground. One of such private groups is the Harwood
group in  Bethesda, Maryland, which participated in a recently held
national conference on this very problem, that was telecasted to the
public on C-span about two months back.  The lesson: beware of such
neo-leftist propoganda.  Let us believe in democracy, justice and
individual enterprise.
Regards,
Kush Khatri

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