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The Imperial Banana Republic: 75% Of Americans See Widespread Government Corruption

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

The chart below from Gallup, is the sort of thing you’d expect to see in a Banana Republic. Which makes perfect sense, because America is a Banana Republic.

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 4.59.25 PM

Here are some additional observations from Gallup:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three in four Americans (75%) last year perceived corruption as widespread in the country’s government. This figure is up from two in three in 2007 (67%) and 2009 (66%).

 

These figures are higher than some might expect, and while the lack of improvement is somewhat disconcerting, the positive takeaway is that Americans still feel fairly free to criticize their government. This is not the case in some parts of the world. Questions about corruption are so sensitive in some countries that even if Gallup is allowed to ask them, the results may reflect residents’ reluctance to disparage their government. This is particularly true in countries where media freedom is restricted.

 

This is why it is most appropriate to look at perceptions of corruption through such lenses as the Freedom House’s Press Freedom rankings. Ratings vary among countries with a “free press,” including the U.S., and range from a high of 90% in Lithuania to a low of 14% in Sweden. The U.S. does not make the top 10 list, but notably, it is not far from it.

Not far at all at 13th. USA! USA!

 

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Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:42 | 6592805 Looney
Looney's picture

Obama's whispering into Putin’s ear: I will be more flexible after my 3-rd election.  ;-)

Looney

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:44 | 6592826 Tonald J Drump
Tonald J Drump's picture

yup, people are waking the f*%k up finally, as shown by my yoooooooooooooj poll numbers .... Let's make America great again !!

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:12 | 6593265 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Yeah, they're waking up alright. Waking up to the sounds of Divide and Conquer 2016!

Remember, they've got no steak to sell, only sizzle.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:24 | 6593319 kralizec
kralizec's picture

OK now lets not get stupid with the reason why people see corruption, let's face it, many of the people who see it want to get in on it...

#Lust&Envy

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 13:50 | 6593479 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

Anyone who looks at any of the crop of thieves being promoted to "lead" the system and sees the possibiity of positive change is not looking deeply.  When enough people see through the "election entertainment", then there will be hope for progress.  For now, too many still think "their guy / girl"(TM) can fix this.  They won't.  Period.  EOS.  It's up to us.

edit to add:

There are people talking about real solutions, and whom I would support.  But they're not being promoted by the 4th estate.  When people realize that our "news" is lies, that will be the greatest single step of progress out of our current status.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 20:17 | 6595153 philipat
philipat's picture

And unsurprisingly I have not seen so much as a single mention of this in the MSM.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:32 | 6593346 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

Sorry folks but given errors in polling that line is essentially flat for the last part of it, if not the entire plot. It means there are a certain number of people who always have and always will feel that way, and this poll is somehow finding them. But those people will always feel that way, it's not interesting that they are not changing their minds over time. The poll I want to see will never be run because the MSM and poll organizations don't want to ask the question, or else don't want to offend their masters by doing so.

And their masters are not the government, but corporations, who have a very vested interest in maintaining corrupt BAU. Oh yeah.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:56 | 6593431 SuperRay
SuperRay's picture

WTF!! The total asshole who wrote this article is saying you're lucky to have the right to criticize the government! Fuck him!! He is no doubt a CIA bought and paid for disinformation troll. Everybody on this site needs to go to their local town board and demand that they endorse a demand for an independent investigation of 9/11.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Pd9HJ94H1Fg

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:48 | 6592850 junction
junction's picture

The percentage would be higher but for the corrupt government officials who took part in the survey.  And these government goniffs have their orders: don't ask, don't tell.

[And I was writing and posting this before I saw the next comment]

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:18 | 6593293 NuYawkFrankie
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...and whispering into Reggie's ear:

I will be more flexible for your 3rd erection

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:41 | 6592813 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

And the other 25% are .gov employees.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:45 | 6592840 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

Funny how that works.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:48 | 6592853 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

There's a great career in shuffling paper and downloading porn.......

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 13:04 | 6593481 Countrybunkererd
Countrybunkererd's picture

When i was in the .gov arena, the typical work week was spread out very neatly.  Having been in real business prior to my time in the .gov, i came in with the efficient and solve it immediately mentality and move to the next issue.  It only took about two weeks where my boss and his boss, both directors in the web of command (rampant in .gov btw) sat me down and actually told me to "slow down, spread your work over the week, and don't answer questions directly- tell them you will research it and get back to them, and to make sure i am visible every day- even though i was spreading the work out"

that last piece, make sure i am visible meant that i needed move around the buildings, but not really have a direct purpose for it.  I could get my work load for the week done by tuesday mid afternoon, but was forced to ensure it took all week long.  Nearly every aspect of .gov is exactly that way.

 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 13:05 | 6593501 Countrybunkererd
Countrybunkererd's picture

I was able to stand it for about 3 years... then the idleness of it all got to me and i had to get out.  What a waste of, well everything... pointless existence to be completely honest about it. 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:43 | 6592829 economessed
economessed's picture

Monkey king in the banana republic.....

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:04 | 6593235 Bananamerican
Bananamerican's picture

you rang?

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:46 | 6592831 Haole
Haole's picture

U. ISIS. A!!

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:44 | 6592836 TrustbutVerify
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Acid test: Will Hillary be prosecuted? 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:48 | 6592858 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

Not an acid test.  She may be prosecuted if she has pissed somebody else in power off, and we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:51 | 6592866 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahah..., good one. I think I just peed my pants a little I laughed so hard.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:57 | 6592901 WillyGroper
WillyGroper's picture

hell no.

she'll die & join ken lay with her bazillions.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:15 | 6593276 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Just think about how powerful she can become without the trappings of officially being alive.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:01 | 6592932 venturen
venturen's picture

how about Corzine going to jail...no questions that what he did was illegal....yet his donations to the democrats....protected him

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:07 | 6592967 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

The JustUs system at work.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:45 | 6592838 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

And yet... everybody votes for the most corrupt and it only gets worse...

 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:54 | 6593198 One Day Only
One Day Only's picture

Most Murican voters: My guys isn't corrupt though... just everyone else.   I know...I shook his hand once and I could tell by the look in his eye that he was a straight shooter...

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:46 | 6592844 headhunt
headhunt's picture

14th place... is that a meat medal?

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:48 | 6592856 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

In today's world, Yes. Medals for everybody. You get a medal, and you get a medal.., and you..., and you..., and you........,

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:26 | 6593325 kralizec
kralizec's picture

I prefer "metal", and the more barbaric and shiny the better!  ;)

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:46 | 6592847 madcows
madcows's picture

Hey, you've got widespread corruption at every level.

BUT, look on the bright side.  You can still complain about it, and not worry that you'll be imprisoned or killed for it.  Of course, they may sick the IRS on you.  But, hey, you can't have everything, can you.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:48 | 6592857 rosiescenario
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Which also explains why Trump is popular....no one actually like him, but he represents a thumbs down in D.C.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:32 | 6593105 taketheredpill
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Bingo. Some folks have gotten the idea that their vote might actually mean something.  They don't care what Trump will do.  All that matters is that the incumbents don't want him in.

 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:51 | 6592860 two hoots
two hoots's picture

The White House does what it wants, same with Congress and the remaining federal agencies.  They all love their separate kingdoms, There is no leadership, no vision, no control, no standards and that is a key reason we the people no longer matter.  We just work and fund the building of their cathedrals.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:52 | 6592872 Crocodile
Crocodile's picture

The people reflect the leadership or lack thereof.  This is a morality problem, not a carnal problem and we all are participants.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:03 | 6592939 two hoots
two hoots's picture

To general, old thinking.  We are not all participants as many see the need for an expedient change if we are to survive and compete   

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:04 | 6592948 WonderDawg
WonderDawg's picture

You underestimate the true powers that be. The president, congress, and federal agencies are all doing as they're told to do. It's all going according to plan for the true powers, at least as far as they know.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:49 | 6592862 stant
stant's picture

A banana republic with a nasty mean streak

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:55 | 6592886 Bastiat
Bastiat's picture

. . . and no bananas.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:57 | 6592904 Haole
Haole's picture

...or republic.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:58 | 6592908 Laughinggrizzley
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No nice beaches and Cuban cigars. Wait, we can get Cuban cigars now...

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 10:51 | 6592867 Crocodile
Crocodile's picture

The 25% are the ones who work for the governments.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:04 | 6592944 gaoptimize
gaoptimize's picture

No, we can't even manage that any more: http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/24/news/mn-35547

 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:05 | 6592957 Consuelo
Consuelo's picture

To a comment up above ---

 

~If~ Hill-Liar-y is ever prosecuted, use that event as one of the most 'key indicators' ever given, as to the direction of many things to come...

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:06 | 6592961 surf0766
surf0766's picture

The evils of progressives

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:07 | 6592964 redc1c4
redc1c4's picture

the other 25% are in on the corrupton.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:11 | 6592976 Reaper
Reaper's picture

The sheeple say they believe their government is corrupt, but they so crave a master that they trust it anyway.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:11 | 6592988 swmnguy
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The worst part of it is, most of the people I talk to who believe the government is corrupt believe so for the wrong reasons.  Our government is corrupt because it is owned by corporate interests.  What I hear the most frequently is people claiming the government is corrupt because they built their garage onto their neighbor's property, the local assessor caught them, and now they have to do something to get back into compliance with the rules.  Or something similar.  An awful lot of us in America stopped maturing ethically at about the toddler level.  If one toddler thinks another toddler got a bigger cookie, it's the biggest injustice in the world.  And if you ask the aggrieved toddler how we should punish another toddler for taking a cookie he doesn't deserve, a lot of toddlers will call for the death penalty.  This is the America we live in today.

Yes, of course, America has widespread government corruption.  And it's getting worse.  The fact that Jon Corzine is free yet Martha Stewart is a convicted felon is but one, trivial, example.  Just watching how the US Treasury has become a sluice of public money through private crony connected hands tells you all you need to know.  TARP, HAMP, ZIRP, NIRP, ACA, and the list goes on and on and on.  Trillions of dollars annually in kickbacks and graft, to prop up the already-dead corpse of debt-based corporate finance capitalism.  There's your corruption, but you won't see that discussed until the collapse is so evident that violence is breaking out.  Then it will be discussed, in a tone that suggests, "This is old news.  Stop reacting to ancient history.  Obey your new shadowy overlords, and their starkly visible shock troops."

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:22 | 6593311 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Even then the true corruption won't be discussed as the corrupt have ensured there's a myriad of reasons that occupy the mind of Joe Sixpack.

Trust me, I've lost friends trying to break through this facade. The more you press them, the more you inspire them to deny any and all facts that might undermine them. In the end, all you do is to strengthen their resolve to hold fast to their ill-founded beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance is a powerful tool. Take away the foundation of someone's belief system, and they cannot survive, as the nothingness will eat them alive.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 14:25 | 6593890 swmnguy
swmnguy's picture

I know what you mean about losing friends over this stuff.  People cling incredibly tightly to these cultural myths that so obviously don't apply any more, if ever they did.  

One tiny example.  I've been self-employed (or, as I call it, "gainfully unemployed") for over 11 years now.  I do the same exact work I used to do for an employer, but now I don't have to support my bosses and their families and expensive tastes, so I can live far better on far less revenue than when I was employed.  I know a number of other people who, just like me, could be living better, working less, and a lot happier.  

Whenever I run into them, they dominate conversation complaining about how much they hate their job, hate their boss, can't get the pay they deserve.  Their friendships and marriagees are suffering.  They're on stomach acid reducer pills, anxiety medications; they don't enjoy their hobbies; yet they're terrified all day every day they're about to be laid off.  I tell them, "Well, why don't you quit?  You're known in your field.  You know where the clients are and have good relationships with them.  All you need, you already have; laptop, cell phone, internet connection and some software; you could be up and running in a week on your own."   They say, "Oh, I couldn't give up the security."

I don't know what the f*&# to say to that.  No way I'm going to explain how all they think is money is actually debt, or how their 401k can't possibly do what they need it to do in the future, or how it's never a good idea to lease a new car every other year, or keep buying more-costly houses, etc.  Or any of the other obviously crazy things "Professionals" are expected to do in our society; any of which should disqualify them from any actual professional esteem.

The worst part is that you have said it exquisitely: "Take away the foundation of someone's belief system, and they cannot survive, as the nothingness will eat them alive."

My parents, like most, taught me a bunch of worthless and destructive nonsense I've had to un-learn.  But at least they taught me that I had to be the judge of my own belief system.  If it wasn't working very well; if reality seemed to be generating weird outcomes my belief system couldn't account for; then it was my absolute top priority and responsibility to fix my belief system and get it in line with reality, because that is what is wrong with crazy people, for whatever reason.

It must be a terrifying life to not believe in your ability to influence your own belief system, even when it is obviously killing you.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:28 | 6593080 dumb_funded
dumb_funded's picture
Former Senator Slams Washington As Corrupt "Sewer", Calls For Outraged Young Americans To Revolt

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-06-30/former-senator-slams-washington...

 

Young Americans response - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  "and now you know the rest of the story"

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:29 | 6593082 Dre4dwolf
Dre4dwolf's picture

The USA is a banana republic , just a very big one.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:31 | 6593094 Ban KKiller
Ban KKiller's picture

For a good laugh check out politics in New Mexico. Ok, not that funny, in fact NM is corrupt from the cops all the way up to the Courts. Local level is not too bad but still corruption and stupidity rule the day. AND nights. 

Secretary of State Duran...etc. Corrupt Santa Fe Police...and the famous Albuquerque police. Whatever happened to that story of the one cop shooting another cop during a drug buy? 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:39 | 6593133 Fahque Imuhnutjahb
Fahque Imuhnutjahb's picture

 

 

Well at least we have the Multi-National Mega Corps. to keep us on the straight and narrow.

Maybe we should overthrow the gov., and bask in the benevolence of corporate largesse.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 11:57 | 6593211 Joebloinvestor
Joebloinvestor's picture

When you consider that the State Dept. & DOJ are part of the Clinton foundation and the corruptness of the IRS and EPA, this is no fucking suprise.

 

 

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:13 | 6593267 Sparehead
Sparehead's picture

That's some honest to goodness bipartisan agreement.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 13:02 | 6593473 Countrybunkererd
Countrybunkererd's picture

.

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:27 | 6593327 zanzen
zanzen's picture

While guarding a former president as a local police officer I asked a secret service agent about the exteme precautions taken to protect the president. He repled "America is just a bannana republic with cadillacs."

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:48 | 6593397 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

 

---

BBBBWWWAAAHHHH!!!!

Sure. Too funny...

Pictures. Name of the PD. Name of the SS agent and of course name the POTUS or it didn't happen.

Nice try though...

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:47 | 6593389 alphahammer
alphahammer's picture

 

Mike Krieger?

Isn't he that guy pumping gold, silver and bitcoin right behind every "story" about the government he talks about?

Sure. Right. Looks like another pump and dump artist from here...

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 12:58 | 6593450 Black Warrior W...
Black Warrior Waterdog's picture

How the hell did it go down from 2013 to 2014?

Fri, 09/25/2015 - 14:22 | 6593875 MasterControl
MasterControl's picture

Don't worry kids, Bernie is going to fix everything.

Mon, 09/28/2015 - 01:02 | 6600949 onmail1
onmail1's picture

A banana is a good dildo for Obama's A$$ (when cabals are not around)

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