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I read this narrative before- but one thing that’s always lacking is the “how”. How are these politicians being bribed? They can’t take funds directly. Is it all through super pacs? If bribery is the reason why nothing can get fixed- we should focus on the mechanism of bribery itself more and fix that (which would have down stream effects of fixing all the issues it helped fester).

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Super PACs / "independent expenditures" are probably a big part of it. Revolving doors are probably another important mechanism (which allows to bribe people as long as the payment is delayed until after the bribe-receiver quits their job).

Another mechanism that may be important is bribing people by paying their family members (hiring them as lobbyists, investing in their companies etc.).

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