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If all someone’s decisions are obviously best for the least amongst us, I might be okay with whatever (disclosed!) gifts

This is how it always been, internet made it impossible to hide.

The people in power don't even really care, what about overworked and underpaid wage slaves going to do about it?

Make a shit post, maybe do a protest then lay down and take it anyway?

Asking for a friend.

The ruling class of the United States has always been like this. This is a country founded by and for slaveowners that gladly governed in their own favor.

Who’s gonna prosecute him? He’s can appeal up to the highest court and then exonerate himself together with his buddies.

Much like the Mullahs of Iran, the Mullahs of America can do whatever they want and you have to do what they say.

And I'm glad I don't live there

Those are just the "gifts" we know about. There have probably been dozens of envelopes full of cash or gold coins as well.

This is how the American system works. He's just not being classy about it.

Congressmembers do insider trading all the time and move into industry positions after they leave, having helped those exact industries (following the requests of their lobbyists). Congressmembers go straight to the top of boards for weapons manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, etc.

Regulators and other officials do the same thing. They cycle back and forth between the industries they're supposed to reign in and supposedly the job where they do reign them in. Work for the FCC -> work for a telecom -> FCC -> telecom.

In terms of the Supreme Court itself, it is an illegitimate body that has legitimacy only because the other two branches give it to them. Their major powers are not in the constitution and they have very few rules to follow.

You are right that gaining power to establish justice is what really matters, not "the rules" (which are always selectively applied). But it really depends on what you mean by the "good guys". If you mean Democrats, unfortunately they are also deeply embedded in this system and are not champions against it. They maintain power through the same kinds of industry connections and exit strategies and insider training. Their electoral apparatus is built on getting donations from companies and their executives so that they can buy ads and canvassers and phone bankers and data nerds to reach out and drive likely voters to turn out for them.

I've been in high-ish level Dem offices on various occasions. They put a lot of effort into shmoozing with donors and doing everything they can to get more money from likely donors. Big and small, though big get the most attention. The idea of building their base of power from the action of motivated grassroots individuals is rejected. And that's the only real base of power that is likely to reflect justice.

the good guys should start breaking rules

The rich right supports people like their Proud Boys, Three Percenters and the Oath Keepers to keep people in line but not so much on the left and they are dealt with much more harshly by law enforcement for the similar crimes.

Because all US politicians do this. Including all the ones on the Supreme Court. The entire system is corrupt. That’s why Roberts wont go before anyone and discuss it or why no one is really pushing too hard to do anything to him about it. They all do the same thing in one form or the other.

Every single time dude. Every time I see what a politician was paid to worsen their constituents' lives, the dollar amount tied to it is just never that remarkable, especially in the context of a world where Elon Musk gets a $56bn pay package for nothing in return.

For sure, or he would have taken up John Oliver on his offer.

That he's reported. Who knows what else isn't on the radar yet, because that corrupt fucker keeps "misremembering" to report gifts like private school tuition, RV loans that get forgiven, and several vacations a year.

Gotta make it an even 100. Two for each state o_0

Sure there is. Unlike them, if you break the rules you go to jail.

There's a big point. A gun point.

The difference between you and Clarence Thomas is simply what each of you can get away with. Cops won't come knocking on Thomas's door for this. In fact, they'll guard his door.

Not just so far. That we know of so far.

I'd be amazed if the real number wasn't many times this.