How much for that politician in the window?

[godix]

Here's a a new gameshow idea and a way for the media to fuck with the election at the same time. First off you find some congresscritter who is going to retire this year so isn't running for reelection himself. Have him submit some totally BS bill with an important, but vague, title. Like the 'Hispanic American protection of international trade act' or something like that. Then rig up a lobbyist with a mic and hidden camera and send him in to each congressman to offer $2000 for them to vote for the BS bill. Then about a week before the 08 election broadcast the results on national TV. Those who decline the bribe get $2000 donated to their campaign with no strings and a mention on the show that they did not accept the bribe. Those who were bought get a chance to be on a followup show to explain their actions, and of course a portion of the show would be live call in questions from voters in their district.

[CodeZTM]

Here's a a new gameshow idea and a way for the media to fuck with the election at the same time. First off you find some congresscritter who is going to retire this year so isn't running for reelection himself. Have him submit some totally BS bill with an important, but vague, title. Like the 'Hispanic American protection of international trade act' or something like that. Then rig up a lobbyist with a mic and hidden camera and send him in to each congressman to offer $2000 for them to vote for the BS bill. Then about a week before the 08 election broadcast the results on national TV. Those who decline the bribe get $2000 donated to their campaign with no strings and a mention on the show that they did not accept the bribe. Those who were bought get a chance to be on a followup show to explain their actions, and of course a portion of the show would be live call in questions from voters in their district.

American Idol would have nothing on this.

[Kalium]

$2000 is chump change in politics. It would have to be at least an order of magnitude larger.

[Kionon]

$2000 is nothing in major campaign. Candidates expect that from individuals, not lobbyists. Try $200,000 or $2 Million and you might have congresscritters accepting the bribe.

[Arigatomina]

I don't know that it's chump change. These are the guys who kiss each other's butts for the chance to eat lunch in a fancy restaurant at the tax payers' expense. They've been caught breaking the law for the stupidest things - the cheapest most petty things like a paid trip to a sports club. If they'd risk prosecution for a $20 free meal, I don't think they'd sniff at an easy $2000 hand out.

Until the second show airs and they're wise to what's going on. Then they'll all be paranoid of each other, no one will be willing to accept bribes, and everyone would benefit (except them).

[godix]

I choose the $2000 with care. Due to campaign finance reform there's a limit to what can be donated. Plus there's 535 congressmen so two grand a pop is over $100,000. You could probably talk a tv company into more, after all they put up $1 million prizes for games shows and consider that cheaper than a scripted show, but still.

Besides, let us not forget that currently one of the major bribery cases involves a politician who was given $10,000 by the FBI in a sting operation. Maybe 2K is a little low but not by much.

[CodeZTM]

Actually, I would be more amused to see them try and weasel themselves out of the bribe to the American People.

Torture is so much fun.