Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for September 15, 2023

Campaign donations, fakelaki, bribes, an offer that you can’t refuse

What about “payola”?

who is the “Big Guy” on this one?

It’s the way of the world, sadly. Nothing new, however. Several references to bribes in the Jewish scriptures: Exodus 23:8 “You must not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and subverts the words of the righteous.

Confucius say: “Man who need pull must grease skids”.

Rat DOES understand how things get done!

If only it was that easy to get potholes fixed.

Our local sheriff, in conjunction with the Texas State Sheriff’s Association, sends out a yearly letter asking for "donations’, for which, you will receive a “I support law enforcement decal”, which, in my opinion is tantamount to soliciting a bribe, in exchange for “something of value”.

Potholes in a “first world” country like the US of A? Tell me it ain’t so!

The truth be told, by Rat yet!

Some potholes I know have had a few birthdays and still are not fixed!

As Mel Brooks once said (“History of the World”), “Rome has the best Senate money can Buy!”……. and so do we!

Now change ‘potholes’ into Viktor Shokin.

Rat using powers for good? Change is in the air.

Ah America!

The best politicians & supreme court justices money can buy.

Of course, there’s the question of where and how Rat got all that money.

The squeaky palm gets the grease.

And now we know WHY the Supreme Court made it legal to bribe Congressmen. Because they wanted it to be legal to bribe judges.

Papa Whiskey says you can’t make any political comments about this political piece………..don’t you dare do it. Papa Whiskey is the grand decider of this comment section. Papa Whiskey?:

I hate politics. Double-talking is the normal in politics, and as a straight talker, I cannot have that.

The right terminology helps.

Rat was also given a seat on city council where be basically did nothing and picked up a fat paycheck.

It didn’t work. He has to fill them up himself. I hear Arnold has the experience and can lend a hand

Several in city government like the Mayor went to jail for stealing taxes. Now they are sent to the state instead.

Legalized bribery – with the explicit endorsement of the Supreme Court (see Citizens United; McClutcheon; and others).

Politicians are the worst.

Right on, Stephen. At least Rat used his own money. In the real world politicians promote businesses and give them mountains of taxpayer money. The businesses then donate to the politician’s campaign (bribe) using that taxpayer money. What a racket. See Proterra Electric bus company.

Nice save, Rat.

Once again, the real world invades the comics pages.

It’s sad to see what’s become of our society. Everybody’s got their hand out….it’s WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME….Attitude!

Mr. Mayor: " I’m aligned with the Lobby Party, too! … :)

New Rule: No elected official may solicit or receive a single penny while in office. The vast majority of these crooks would no longer care to ‘serve’.

There are 29 references to bribes in the Bible. The last one is in Acts 24:26. Felix holds Paul prisoner for two years hoping Paul would offer him a bribe.

When will we come to our senses and begin public funding of our elections? It’s the democratic way.

The bribery door the Supreme Court swung wide open has been overrun with what are now legitimized “donations.” What a joke on the American people, but not as big a joke as is all of the politicians who are only too willing to accept these dollars while oh so piously feigning that the money holds no sway over them.

Sad that a truly good and honest person can’t compete fairly in so many elections….

We call them Professional Lobbyists … very well paid. Some PACs too.

Cheap shot, Pastis.Sure to generate hate.

Same as it ever was.

Rat speaks the truth!

Where’s the lie. And now I’ll go cry

Bribery isn’t the only way politicians abuse their office.

I used to live in Idaho, and still keep in touch with what’s happening there.

Idaho’s junior U.S. Senator, Jim Risch, recently tried to insert a provision into the FAA’s reauthorization act that would reroute flights in and out of Boise away from his home and over a more populated area.

https://www.idahostatesman.Com/news/politics-government/state-politics/

ITYM “oligarchy” (the ones with the money) :^(

I can’t get anyone to do anything these days, even after paying their invoice.

I don’t mind that politicians take bribes. What offends me is how cheaply they sell out. You cannot find one who is of high enough quality to be worth the purchase price.

Fact is, though, there’s a lot more bribery in dictatorships.

Government by the donor class. Domestic and international!!

Joe? Is that you?

Where did Rat get all the cash?

The Corruption perception index and web site makes for an interesting reading. The USA not doing badly really but then maybe that is not saying much about human nature, see www transparency org

As Rat knows, If the shoe fits, take the bribe!

Sorry Rat, I’m too busy attacking the “woke” agenda…