I'm coming to think that we shouldn't bother trying to discourage bribery. It's a common form of business in the rest of the world. What we should do, however,

I'm coming to think that we shouldn't bother trying to discourage bribery. It's a common form of business in the rest of the world. What we should do, however, is make the bribery/gratuity/gift part of the public record. We all know that Congress is bought and paid for, but I want to know by whom. The only time punishment should happen is if a gift/bribe/whatever is not reported. Clarence Thomas's BS about not thinking it was a gift and didn't need reporting should subject him to significant legal penalties. [edit] Last minute thought: whenever a public official takes a bribe, they should be required to wear a sticker on their suit with the logo of the bribing organization just like Formula One racers have on their suits and cars.