5 ms·

I agree that this has been normalized throughout the world, that's the weird thing about it, it's blatant corruption and everybody just goes about pretending it

I agree that this has been normalized throughout the world, that's the weird thing about it, it's blatant corruption and everybody just goes about pretending it's okay or no big deal.

hnfong 5y ago
It's only a problem when a "hostile" government does it. Then you'd make a big deal on the media of how corrupt their government and country is.
BurningFrog 5y ago
Those who think it's not OK, often to want to deregulate. With no one to bribe, that brand of corruption goes away. But they/we tend to be dismissed as crazy extremists by polite society.
- throwaway2048 5y ago
  with no one to regulate, facebook would never have to answer to anyone, ever.
  - BurningFrog 5y ago
    I know this is old fashioned, but in a free society, I don't think you should have to answer to anyone, unless you commit a crime.
    - dTal 5y ago
      You don't think an international megacorp with the 1.2 trillion dollar market cap, under investigation for possible action or inaction leading to the subversion of the democratic process, should have to answer to anyone? You're not wrong - "might makes right" is certainly old-fashioned.
      - throwawaylinux 5y ago
        Unfortunately, large corporations like this often utilize lobbying and regulatory capture to actually squash smaller competition which is not able to buy "justice". Might makes right is not old fashioned at all, the mighty are just better at fooling people.
- dTal 5y ago
  Ah yes, the old "end crime by making everything legal" gambit.
ryanlol 5y ago
This is not corruption. Nobody is abusing their position for personal gain, the government (on behalf of the society at large) is simply accepting a payment to compensate for certain activity with negative externalities.
- throwawaylinux 5y ago
  I disagree and I think it is corruption, and I'm astounded people don't. The idea that someone can buy their way out of breach of laws and regulations like this is fundamentally unjust. I'm not saying in any one particular instance of it happening any people are taking explicit kickbacks. But the regulating body and process as a whole has become corrupt by allowing this to happen. Whether it's because they get promoted because they netted a lot of fines, or because they later go work for private industry who scratches their backs, or simply that the government likes the revenue so they allow rich people to buy their way out of trouble and that's mutually beneficial for both parties, it is corruption.

I agree that this has been normalized throughout the world, that's the weird thing about it, it's blatant corruption and everybody just goes about pretending it's okay or no big deal.

hnfong 5y ago

It's only a problem when a "hostile" government does it. Then you'd make a big deal on the media of how corrupt their government and country is.

BurningFrog 5y ago

Those who think it's not OK, often to want to deregulate. With no one to bribe, that brand of corruption goes away. But they/we tend to be dismissed as crazy extremists by polite society.

throwaway2048 5y ago
with no one to regulate, facebook would never have to answer to anyone, ever.
- BurningFrog 5y ago
  I know this is old fashioned, but in a free society, I don't think you should have to answer to anyone, unless you commit a crime.
  - dTal 5y ago
    You don't think an international megacorp with the 1.2 trillion dollar market cap, under investigation for possible action or inaction leading to the subversion of the democratic process, should have to answer to anyone? You're not wrong - "might makes right" is certainly old-fashioned.
    - throwawaylinux 5y ago
      Unfortunately, large corporations like this often utilize lobbying and regulatory capture to actually squash smaller competition which is not able to buy "justice". Might makes right is not old fashioned at all, the mighty are just better at fooling people.
dTal 5y ago
Ah yes, the old "end crime by making everything legal" gambit.

ryanlol 5y ago

This is not corruption. Nobody is abusing their position for personal gain, the government (on behalf of the society at large) is simply accepting a payment to compensate for certain activity with negative externalities.

throwawaylinux 5y ago
I disagree and I think it is corruption, and I'm astounded people don't. The idea that someone can buy their way out of breach of laws and regulations like this is fundamentally unjust. I'm not saying in any one particular instance of it happening any people are taking explicit kickbacks. But the regulating body and process as a whole has become corrupt by allowing this to happen. Whether it's because they get promoted because they netted a lot of fines, or because they later go work for private industry who scratches their backs, or simply that the government likes the revenue so they allow rich people to buy their way out of trouble and that's mutually beneficial for both parties, it is corruption.