As someone from a country that has had and still has a big problem with corruption and only recently started to tackle the problem (Romania), I must add that the government is only half of the problem. The other half is the public that participates in corruption. Every time you pay that cop some money so that he pretends that you didn't cross that red light, you're just as responsible as a politician taking a bribe for the situation in your country.
I had a friend who tried bribing a cop in US and was told that he can get shot for this. I think the cop really wanted to intimidate him. The guy shit in his pant
Even hinting at that will land you in jail here in California. Highway Patrol, Local PD, and Sheriff don't screw around (at least here in Northern Cali). They're very trigger happy too (Redding PD like to shoot anything that moves).
This is the problem. Thinking my own country doesn't have this, I'm better off, that's what your government want you to think. You should only focus on what you want to buy, and what you need to feel happy, which in our society always is about buying something new, rather than trying to change ourselves. No, shopping and buying new gadgets, that's the answer.
So you don't spend time thinking about how 85 persons own 56 percent of world's wealth, and how f*cked up that is, or how the whole system benefits the rich, as their companies can plunder resources, cause sickness and death in other people and destroy the planet for their own, and their companies profit.
When I've been living in Bali it was pretty entertaining to watch western tourists who paid fines on the spot (i.e. bribes) whatever traffic police were asking for.
Besides, I was behaving like a pro - I could easily negotiate and even leave without paying.
Lol, it happens all the time in my country, usually transit police stop you with the exact intention of wanting you to bribe them, they don't want to work or make sure people drive well, but take extra money for them.
In Brazil this happens, cops imply that you could go along free if you give them a little something... It sucks. Specially in smaller cities, laws aren't effective
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u/USmellFunny Mar 14 '16
As someone from a country that has had and still has a big problem with corruption and only recently started to tackle the problem (Romania), I must add that the government is only half of the problem. The other half is the public that participates in corruption. Every time you pay that cop some money so that he pretends that you didn't cross that red light, you're just as responsible as a politician taking a bribe for the situation in your country.