Illegal overseas bribes are distinct from Microsoft's domestic legal lobbying activities. When I worked as a bicycle courier in DC I recall picking up from Mic

Illegal overseas bribes are distinct from Microsoft's domestic legal lobbying activities. When I worked as a bicycle courier in DC I recall picking up from Microsoft, 1401 I st. NW. No software was developed at this office. It was just highly paid lawyers and lobbyists. Consider how productive that is in real terms, and remember those costs are passed onto you as a consumer. The delivery was 9 Titleist golf balls in a box, each ball inside of an individual box. There was also a greeting card. The entire delivery was packaged inside of a bubble wrapped envelope. The congressperson wasn't interested in sending an aide outside to collect the package even after the contents were explained. The check inside of the greeting card for 10,000 USD was not enticing enough for them to come outside. In these scenarios, packages were sent to the "security trailer", which was no longer a trailer, but a concrete block structure nearby on Capitol Hill. Inside of the trailer, I was instructed to individually double bag each golf ball, with a barcode on the inner bag. A security person or Capitol Hill policeman pedantically ordered each step of the process from a drive-thru quality intercom system. For his safety, he stayed behind the bulletproof glass with a positive air pressure differential. He still had to sign my manifest to accept the delivery. It was like standing in front of a laboratory flow hood as I passed my clipboard into the robotic drawer. After bagging, I was instructed to individually x-ray each item. Next, the entire package was double bagged again with yet another barcode. Finally, I handed off the package through the airlock. About 15 minutes total. Could have been longer, but he already had my data entered into the computer system. I was a regular visitor. The entire procedure is absurd. The distinction of illegal bribes in the title speaks to this. Say what you will about the necessity of the state, but whether legal or illegally practiced, government gatekeepers are a net drain on the economy. If you cannot appreciate the productivity losses in abstract terms, consider how inefficient the processes are to simply deliver a check for ten-thousand dollars to a congressperson.