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As if the lack of federal budget and excessive overspending isn’t bad enough the recent GSA scandal, in which the department is being investigated for gross mismanagement of funds including a lavish $800,000 conference in Las Vegas , really has people fired up. With so many people out of work and struggling to make ends meet it’s hard to swallow the fact that these execs could blow through so much tax payer money just like that.

On the plus side, if there is a plus side, the city of Las Vegas seems to really be benefiting from the extra publicity. In an article by Newsmax.com , Mayor Carolyn Goodman is said to have stated how much the local economy is benefiting from all of the media persons traveling in and an overall influx of visitors. Las Vegas has a lot to offer visitors –great hotels, shows, casinos, dining –however next time it would be preferable for government workers to use their own money instead of the taxpayers.

Another thing that has come out of this whole scandal is a plethora of parody videos making fun of the GSA. Here is one that you will hopefully find entertaining.

Boston, Massachusetts is one of the nation’s great historic cities. Even its name is symbolic of as well as literally connected to some of this country’s earliest development and major historic events. One of the first things that will come to mind for many of the tourists staying in some of the luxury hotels boston when the idea of this country’s early history is brought up is the Boston Tea Party. This historic event actually remains one of the strong aspects of the city’s reputation for commitment and loyalty to purpose and also a sense of rebellion. And while most of the residents of the entire country is familiar with this historic phrase, not everyone actually understands when and why it took place, or even what it technically refers to.

The Boston Tea Party occurred before this country was even established. It happened in 1773 in what was then the colony of Massachusetts and was a direct movement and major act on the part of the colonists against the British government. Earlier in that year Britain had established the controversial Tea Tax, which the colonists soon resented and rebelled against. They were particularly disturbed by the act because they believed it violated their rights as colonists. Primarily at issue was their right to be taxed only by their elected representatives and the British government did not fall under that category.

Protestation of the Tea Act was strong and prior to the event in Boston, three colonies were able to prevent the unloading of taxed tea. However, conflict was strong in Boston the Royal Governor, Thomas Hutchinson, did not allow the tea to be returned to England. It is likely that he thought the protesters would eventually give in and accept the taxed tea as their only choice. However, the Bostonians thought differently and decided to destroy the tea rather than to give in to legislation that denied their authority of direct representation. This major event proved to be a turning point for many colonists and was a key factor in the development of the Revolutionary War .

Throughout the last few years, many countries have stepped up their laws and policies regarding the fight on corruption and bribery in government.  In the United States there was, for a very long time, a concept of “legal bribery”.  But just what does that mean?  It means that corporations with a lot of money, hold special interests, and they donate funding to politicians, or as some would say, they “invest” in the politicians, and in exchange the politicians see that legislation is passed that in turn provides more money, more income…often at the expense of the general public, to those large corporations.

It is a vicious cycle that has prompted new legislation, new bills and new laws that are intended to fight this kind of corruption.  This is not just happening in the United States, but around the world, as different countries, such as the United Kingdom, look over and revamp their systems with such additions as bribery bills and anti-corruption legislation.  Although many steps have been taken in the years following the September 11th attacks on the United States, this is a fight that has been going on in the States since 1907.  It was during this time that the US Congress adopted the Tillman Act.  This act made it illegal for any corporation to make monetary contributions to politicians either in office or running for office.

There are so many loopholes to be found however, that these crimes are still being committed today, more than one hundred years later.  As history has shown, and as common sense dictates, such acts of corruption have far reaching effects.  The people of a corrupt nation suffer, people who work hard, pay their taxes and pay their bills.  The Bribery Bill of the UK, and other such amendments to policies and procedures are an attempt to clearly define just what bribery is, and to put an end to it once and for all.

In 1977, members of the United States Congress found that they were up against a worldwide epidemic in the international world of business.  This involved the bribing of officials and military personnel, foreign and domestic, in situations that involved securing new business deals with a particular company or country, or in the guaranteed continuance of those business relationships that had already been established.  The provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the act which was written over forty years ago, state that any person or company that takes part in international commerce, and does so in a corrupt manner such as bribery, are subject to investigation and eventual prosecution, as governed by the laws of the United States judicial system.

So what then is the definition of bribery?  This has been the subject of debate for a very long time.  In some countries, it is customary to offer favors or gifts in return for support.  To not do so would be rude.  However, in the United States,anything offered in exchange for support, be it political, financial or business related, is seen as bribery.  The varying definitions and cultural differences has served to create a certain number of disagreements and misunderstandings.  This gift giving and favor doing is seen as putting ones self or business at an unfair advantage.

These provisions then, make it illegal for a United States citizen, and company, to make any sort of payment that is intended to ensure the obtaining of new business, or the retaining of current business.  In 1998 the Act was revised to include foreign companies that attempt to bribe American companies with corrupt gifts or payments.  According to the United States Government, a doctor at a government managed or owned hospital, is a foreign official, as well as the owner of a financial institution conducting international transactions.   And all are held responsible for upholding the strictest of standard when it concerns the dealings and the interactions with all other countries of the world.