Andrew Cockburn talks about what he calls the legal corruption of the U.S. government and various lobbying industries. Whether it’s arms manufacturers, steel, farmers, or health insurance, practically every major industry in the U.S.—and some industries abroad—works with politicians to get favors and special treatment. Joe and Hunter Biden’s scandal with Ukrainian energy companies is just the most recent example, but is certainly not unique. Unfortunately partisan loyalty clouds people’s judgment and makes them accept these behaviors as normal when “their team” does it.
Discussed on the show:
“Just How Swampy Are U.S.-Saudi Arms Deals?” (The American Conservative)“Hunter Biden’s Legal, Socially Acceptable Corruption” (The Atlantic)“Ukraine crisis: Transcript of leaked Nuland-Pyatt call” (BBC News)Foreign Corrupt Practices ActWolf Street | The stories behind business, finance, and money
Andrew Cockburn is the Washington editor of Harper’s Magazine and the author of Kill Chain: The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins. Follow him on Twitter @andrewmcockburn.
This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; Washinton Babylon; Liberty Under Attack Publications; Listen and Think Audio; TheBumperSticker.com; and LibertyStickers.com.
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Scott Horton is director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com, host of Antiwar Radio on Pacifica, 90.7 FM KPFK in Los Angeles, California and podcasts the Scott Horton Show from this website. He’s the author of the 2017 book, Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan. Visit https://scotthorton.org