How Bribery Was LEGALIZED in America

Quick Overview

The legalization of bribery in American politics, as detailed in David Sorota's book "Master Plan: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America," stems from a systematic erosion of campaign finance laws and disclosure requirements, effectively allowing political entities to operate outside the spirit of the law, as evidenced by figures like John Ossoff and the Supreme Court's narrowing of bribery definitions.

Key Points: David Sorota's book, "Master Plan: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America," argues that corruption is now institutionalized, not just an isolated issue. The core issue is that campaign finance laws and disclosure requirements have been systematically gutted, allowing entities to bypass limits on spending and influence. The Supreme Court narrowed the definition of bribery in its ruling, stating that money in politics is not inherently corrupting unless a direct quid pro quo can be proven. Sorota cites examples like John Ossoff's 2017 Georgia Senate campaign spending over $40 million and John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, where large sums were spent to influence races. The speaker argues that this system allows corporations and wealthy donors to essentially buy political favors, as demonstrated by the Montana case where dark money was used to protect industries. The anti-corruption movement, exemplified by Bernie Sanders and AOC, is seen as fighting against a system where money is treated as constitutionally protected speech, making it hard to prosecute corruption. The underlying problem is that the political system, including the Supreme Court, enables this environment where political entities can operate without proper accountability.

Context: This video features an interview between Matt Hasson of Zeteo and author David Sorota discussing Sorota's book, "Master Plan: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America." The conversation centers on how political corruption, particularly the influence of dark money and corporate spending in elections, has become legally permissible due to decades of legal interpretations and legislative changes, leading to a system where politicians benefit from undisclosed funds without facing bribery charges.