9/12/13

What is Kleptocracy?

"Political corruption

Concepts; ­Bribery, ­Cronyism, ­Economics of corruption, ­Nepotism, ­Slush fund, ­Plutocracy, ­Political scandal

Kleptocracy, (from Greek: κλέπτης - kleptēs, "thief"[1] and κράτος - kratos, "power, rule",[2] hence "rule by thieves") is a form of political and government corruption where the government exists to increase the personal wealth and political power of its officials and the ruling class at the expense of the wider population, often without pretense of honest service.

...Kleptocracies are generally associated with corrupt forms of authoritarian governments, particularly oligarchies, or some other forms of autocratic and nepotist government in which no outside oversight is possible, due to the ability of the kleptocrat(s) to personally control both the supply of public funds and the means of determining their disbursal. [and the press]

Kleptocratic rulers typically treat their ...treasury as though it were their own personal bank account, spending the funds on luxury goods as they see fit. [GPAC, Aquatic Center and some "economic incentive grants"

..."rule by thieves".

Not an "official" form of government (such as democracy, republic, monarchy, theocracy), the term is a pejorative for governments perceived to have a particularly severe and systemic problem with the selfish misappropriation of public funds by those in power.

The effects of a kleptocratic regime or government are typically adverse in regards to the faring of the economy, political affairs and civil rights.

...As the kleptocracy normally embezzles money from its citizens by misusing funds derived from tax payments, or money laundering schemes, a kleptocratically structured political system tends to degrade nearly everyone's quality of life.

In addition, the money that kleptocrats steal is often taken from funds that were earmarked for public amenities, such as the building of hospitals, schools, roads, parks and the like - which has further adverse effects on the quality of life of the citizens living under a kleptocracy.

The quasi-oligarchy that results from a kleptocratic elite also subverts democracy (or any other political format the state is ostensibly under)."

Wikipedia

6 comments:

Lazlo Toth said...

Public Amenities, such as the building of hospitals, schools, roads, parks, Civic Auditoriums (GPAC), recreational facilities (GAC), and extended utility infrastructure, like sewer lines. The boosters of GPAC are horrible thieves. Who spends $35 million of their own money to "steal" $20 million in order to build a Civic Auditorium. Our city officials are not lining their own pockets to build their own palaces that they and their families will live in, or acquiring luxury vehicles for personal use, or jewels to adorn their bodies. They are making legal and legitimate decisions on the appropriation of public funds, which YOU, in your belligerent frugality, neither agree with nor want. At most you can lobby that nobody with business before the city council can contribute more than $5, $20, $100, or $1000 to a candidates campaign, and seek to have that enshrined in city regulations. Beyond that, you are coming dangerously close to slandering some private citizens who are more adept than you at engaging the existing system in the interests of both commercial and civic development. Edison, Firestone, and others pleaded with Henry Ford to cease the slander and hatred spewing from his Dearborn Independent. In a similar spirit, if you are interested in the well being of this city, the advancement of all citizens, and a future career in politics, please stop. Misrepresentation is not the same thing as muckracking.

g said...

I respectfully disagree.

I believe the $312,000 deal was legal theft.

Lazlo Toth said...

You neglect to consider the utility that the new development will have for people in the surrounding community as well as for travellers. I.e. the benefit. How much sales tax will be recaptured by Guilford county. What is the ability of other property owners both up and downtream from the extension to tie in to the extension. Finally, the city, not Kotis will end up owning the sewer pipe extension. Kotis could have installed a series of septic tanks. Other than having access to a public utility that every other taxpaying business owner would have, what exactly has Kotis "stolen"? Other than a petty conflict appearance with the campaign contributions, I see no robbery or graft.

g said...

All totally legal and wrong at the same time.

You are certainly knowledgeable of the deal "Lazlo".

Who would lose business if another gas station and fast food restaurant were to double the current capacity?

Who did Marty step in front of?

Why didn't the deal meet the incentive grant guidelines?

Why were no salaries announced?

What do you think will be the average pay per worker Lazlo?

Incentive grants are supposed to be for high paying jobs.

That's not what happened.


g said...

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Lazlo Toth may refer to:
Laszlo Toth, Hungarian-born geologist who attacked Michelangelo's Pietà with a hammer in 1972
Lazlo Toth, pen name under which comedian Don Novello wrote a series of letters to public figures and corporations; the name is derived from that of the Pietà vandal
László Fejes Tóth, mathematician
.
.
Thanks for the insight Lazlo.

If you would like to continue this conversation, please man or woman up and state your real name, otherwise, swim in the cowardice of anonymity.

W.E. Huffman said...

All right you got me. Walker E. Huffman, orig. from Chloride, AZ from people who came by way of Hobbs, NM from Brasstown, NC during the Depression. Kinda circled back. You mean well George, but you are going about it in the wrong way.