[lbo-talk] Notes on Parenti

[Andy]

On Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 2:43 AM, socialismorbarbarism
<socialismorbarbarism at gmail.com> wrote:
> Chuck Grimes: "Unfortunately, GSA like the Pentagon is prone (ripe
> with?) corruption and collusion with their contractors... "
>
> Well, if someone in gov procurement makes sure that a lover or a
> stupid nephew or whoever gets a contract, it's considered corruption.
> (It's a crime, too--not that it's too often enforced.) But in the
> private sector, it's How Business Works. Also, deals involving "sales
> incentives" (and many other typical day-to-day business practices)
> very easily are considered "bribes" or "kickbacks" if part of a public
> sector deal.
>
> So what you're really doing here is adding to the list of higher
> standards government is held to.

I work for a federal contractor and the training they put you through
to avoid running afoul of gift rules has been eyebrow raising.  I
cannot buy meals for my civil servant colleagues without
reimbursement, anything above donuts and coffee is a no-no.  I forget
what the exact line is, I think it might be whether the bagels are
pre-schmeared or not.  Seriously.  Bringing a bottle of wine to a
dinner party is out.  I have every impression that this is vigorously
enforced through top employee levels.

Of course, the very fact that I work for a contractor is the rub:
there are people in my department who have been there for 20+ years,
working through a middleman.  To capture private sector efficiencies,
no doubt.  I understand this was a gift from the Reagan admin.

-- 
Andy