No Profit, Just Public Service: Time to Revive Ancient Greece's Anti-Bribery Wisdom in U.S. Government

Liberty
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It’s time to bring back an ancient idea that kept Athenian democracy strong: public service without profit. In modern American politics, the temptation for politicians to turn their offices into personal gold mines is all too real. We need a fundamental shift—borrowing from the ideals of Ancient Greece—to ensure that public officials prioritize the common good, not their own pockets.

  1. Service Without Profit: In Ancient Athens, public officials weren’t in it for the money. Most positions weren’t highly paid, so only those truly committed to the public good took the job. In the U.S., we need to curb excessive financial benefits tied to office, ensuring that public servants serve because they care, not for a paycheck or future lobbying gigs.
  2. Accountability for Every Dollar: Athens had the euthyna, a financial audit that every official had to pass at the end of their term. Why aren’t we doing the same? Every U.S. politician should be subject to a detailed audit of their finances, ensuring no bribes or shady deals slipped through during their term.
  3. Transparency and Public Scrutiny: Ancient Greeks held public trials for corrupt officials, making bribery a very risky endeavor. Today, we need stricter transparency laws, ensuring that every campaign donation, gift, or financial exchange is public knowledge. Let’s make it impossible for money to corrupt the democratic process in the shadows.

Politicians like Nancy Pelosi, whose net worth has skyrocketed to over $200 million during her time in office, demonstrate the dangers of insider information and unchecked influence. This kind of fortune, amassed while supposedly serving the people, undermines democracy and erodes trust in government. How can the public believe their leaders are serving them when they seem to profit so handsomely from their positions?

By looking to the past, we can strengthen our democracy today. We need to remind our public servants: no profit, just public service. Let’s take action to rebuild trust and ensure government is truly by the people, for the people—not for personal gain.

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