Political Article

1. The Incorruptibles –byTom Quinn
CorruptioniskillingAmerica.Andnowhere have itseffectsbeenmore devastatingthaninthe wayithas
become the modusoperandi of ourpolitical class.Everysystemisperfectlydesignedtogetthe resultsit
gets.That’swhy politiciansroutinelydowhatispersonallyprofitableratherthanthe will of the people
whoelectedthem.
One simple change couldendcorruptionforeverandit’salreadybeendone –inVenice.
Venice wasthe mostsuccessful andlongestlastingrepublicinthe historyof the world.Init,the greatest
honorone couldattain wasto serve the state,butit came witha stiff price.Venetianspunished
corruptionwitha
vengeance.Onlytreasonwasconsideredaworse crime.If foundtobe corrupt,an official wasbanished
and hispersonal possessionsforfeited.ThissystemwassoeffectivethatVenice lasted1,100 yearsfrom
697-
1797. She wasalso an economicpowerhouse andshe wasfree.Publicofficialscarefullyguardedtheir
reputationsforhonesty.Eventhe doge orduke,wasrequiredtofurnishthe official residence withhis
ownmoney.He was neverallowedtobe alone withanyone excepthiswife norcouldhe leave the
doge’spalace withoutanescort.
We can learnfromthe Venetiansandchange the waywe pickour electedofficials.Let’sdemandthat
anyone whowishestoserve usinelectedorappointedoffice tosignaIncorruptible Pledge.Itwould
consistof the
followingrequirements:
1. A solemnpromise toavoidall specifiedforms of corruption.
2. A pre-signedresignationlettertoinstantlytake effectif foundguiltyof corruption.
3. If foundguilty,the signeragreestothe followingpenalties:

2. a) Forfeitninety-percentof all assetsandall retirementpensionsandbenefits –noexceptions.
b) No rightof appeal.
c) Loss of citizenshipanddeportation.
Now,whowouldbe crazy enoughtosignsuch a pledge?Only
Incorruptibles!Andisn’tthatwhowe wantholdingthe publictrust?
How can we be sure thiswill work?Bythe hootsand hollersof those whoobject –the fat cat elected
officials,appointedcareerbureaucrats,andtheirmediaenablers.Youknow – the onesinfederal,state
and local governmentswhospendourmoneylike waterbecausetheyare notheldaccountable because
there are fewconsequences.
The good newsiswe don’tneedanact of congressto make thischange.All we needisto demandthe
Incorruptible Pledgeinexchange forourvotes.DoI hearIncorruptible Party?Whynotthe Incorruptible
wingsof the RepublicanandDemocratparties?Certainlymillionscouldagree tothat.
How dowe getstarted?Easy,onlyvote for Incorruptibles.Imagineanelectionbetweenapledged
Incorruptible andsomeonerefusingtosign.Landslide!Canyouimagine the outcryif anelectedofficial
triedto appointsomeone toapostwho wouldn’tsignthe pledge?If she did,she wouldbe riskbeing
suspectedof herowncorruption.
Nowthisischange youcan believe in.