It's no coincidence that Leon Panetta, nominee to head the CIA, happened to collect over $700,000 in bribes (a.k.a. consulting fees?).
Why do that? This is a position that empowers him to decide which government contractors get our tax money to perform "national security work." So wait, you mean to say contractors that have material pecuniary interests in government's contracts can pay "fees" to get contracts? That's interesting. In legal ethics that's called a CONFLICT OF INTEREST . A conflict so material and substantial to the interests of representation that every state bar would sanction. The ethical rules that apply to the regulation of lawyers is a great analogy because like Federal civil servants, we represent people. Ask yourself why we have the Office of Government Ethics and also the General Accounting Office. Might it be possible (and highly probable) that positions of power yield self-interested results?
Federal civil servants take an oath. Remember that oath? Read below (pay attention to the bold words) :
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Good 'ole fashion American corrupt-capitalism permeates democracy. Let's just admit it. Browse the real headlines and do your own research.
Reference: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378062602049003.html
http://www.opm.gov/constitution_initiative/oath.asp
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