Supremely Corrupt

Growing up in India, I was well aware of bribes and bribery required to move a file, get a license or have a record expunged. There are several euphemisms for bribery such as greasing the palms, under the table payments, convenience fees and more.

The bigger the favor, the bigger the bribe. It was accepted as a way of life - the cost of doing business.

I remember a famous poet once wrote "Rishvat leta pakda jaaye toh rishvat deke chhoot" meaning if you get caught accepting a bribe, bribe your way to get out.

There are lots of movies focusing on the theme, some serious, mostly hilarious.

If you don't have the money, you better have connections. 

That is why coming to the US was so refreshing. I received my fair share of traffic violations, but no cop ever suggested that I could bribe my way out. Getting/renewing a license is a straightforward process. It may be frustrating and time-consuming, but it is not corrupt. When we applied to renew our passports, we paid fees to expedite them. But they were upfront and exact.

This works in two ways. Firstly, I feel confident that I am treated fairly. Secondly, I know that if I mess up, I cannot bribe my way out.

Of course there is corruption in the US. There are corrupt politicians and dirty cops. It is just not as pervasive. And when folks get caught, they are punished. They cannot bribe their way out. Until now.

Two recent decisions, in quick succession, have shaken my faith in the American legal system.

1. You can read the complete article here - The US supreme court just basically legalized bribery, Moira Donegan but here is the gist of it.

In 2013, James Snyder was serving as the mayor of small-town Portage, Indiana. Late that year, the city of Portage awarded a contract to Great Lakes Peterbilt, a trucking company, and bought five tow trucks from them; a few weeks later, Snyder asked for and accepted a check for $13,000 from the company. Snyder was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. He argued that the kickback was not illegal because it came after he awarded a contract to the company that ultimately paid him off, not before. Absurdly the US supreme court agreed, classifying such payments as mere tokens of appreciation and claiming they are not illegal.

The ruling authored by Kavanaugh in Snyder v United States, a 6-3 opinion, held that “gratuities” – that is, post-facto gifts and payments – are not technically “bribes”, and therefore not illegal.

It is not a coincidence that the court has chosen to legalize for state and local officials exactly the sort of corruption that they openly enjoy.

There are no awards for guessing which six justices voted in favor of corruption and influence peddling. It is no coincidence that the Republican-appointed justices painstakingly point out the difference between bribes and gratuities, so as to benefit themselves and those who put them in positions of power. 

These exact same justices also painstakingly distinguished between bumpstocks and automatic guns so as to favor the gun lobby. Why? I guess because more Americans need to die from gun violence and quickly so. 

2. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that a former president has absolute immunity for his core constitutional powers — and is entitled to a presumption of immunity for his official acts.

In short, it means that the president has infinite power and very little accountability. The president can not only commit crimes, but also enjoy almost complete immunity from legal prosecution. 

According to Sonia Sotomayor's dissenting opinion,  "The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law."

Goodbye Democracy. Hail to the King.  Please note that it is the very same Republican-appointed, right leaning, corruption-peddling, gun-lobby sympathetic justices who ruled in favor of dictatorship over democracy.

What does this mean? Well I am no political pundit or a legal scholar. But two things are clear even to me.

1. The current President (thanks to this SCOTUS ruling) has unlimited power.  He has complete immunity to carry out official presidential acts which may be considered improper, illegal or outright heinous. What is good for the gander...

2. As citizens, we must be extremely careful of whom we choose in November. Our lives and freedoms (and those of our children and grandchildren) will depend on it.

Our (Property) Values

The year was 2005. I was working as a junior planner in Fort Lauderdale. Broward County was conducting a public hearing on a proposed light rail line connecting the western part of the county to downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The beginning

Before Touch-up

After Touch-up (Head, Flower & Shoe completed)

Growing Trees

Roofs under Construction

Colorful Tiles!!!

Housing Project

I remember arriving at the venue about 4:00PM, setting up easels showing the area maps, flip boards and markers, and sign in sheets with several pens. The event began at 6:00PM with a formal presentation from the Florida Department of Transportation official. This was followed by questions from the audience. I remember a particularly angry guy who almost spat out - What happens to my property value?

Ballerina

Puppy Toss

One Home (+Tree) at a Time

As planners, we regularly study about the economic impact of streetcars and rail lines on adjacent communities. So I knew the answer, but junior planners do not speak (they take notes). A senior planner responded - "Unless your property is smack dab next to the rail line, the value of your property is likely to increase." The angry guy was unconvinced. He had already made up his mind - he hated the light rail and it was not welcome in his neighborhood. 

Building Community

Basting

Holy Cow!!!

It got me thinking about the value of property.  You see it is a very American concept.

Beauty and the Breeze

Finished Quilt Size - 67" by 75"

Of course all properties in all countries have value but this obsession with "what happens to my property value" was an unfamiliar concept. I need a place to live, a place for my possessions, a place to recover, a place to hide from the world's prying eyes, a place to be myself, a place of complete peace and zero judgement. I place infinite value on this place - my home.

Lazy Dog Pose?

All Size Cats

Santa & Reindeer 

Homes for Everyone

Red Backing, Green Binding

Of course, it has a dollar value too. So what? If the dollar value changes from $200K to $400K, do I sell it and find someplace cheaper?   If the value falls to $100K, do I buy a second house because at half price it is just not enough? I do not sing and dance when the value increases and I do not go into despair when it plummets. 

Labelled

Young Fish and Old Dinosaur

Yes, we pay attention when we build a house or buy a property. Similarly the price tag is of utmost importance when a property is put on the market. But not in between. In between, it is just my home.

Star Fish and Movie Star (Olaf)

Regardless of the prevailing price tag of my house, my day-to-day interactions with my living quarters are unchanged. Shoes in this corner, handbag in that. An aroma of curry wafts from the kitchen, greasy pots in the sink, a dirty cup on the counter and a few turmeric stains on the stove. Cracked floor tiles covered with an area rug; there may be cobwebs in the fireplace but the mantelpiece in the living room has fresh flowers. 

Freshly Made

One pillow on the floor but the other has a round depression where my head fits perfectly. The bed is unmade and the sheets are crumpled but there is a Preeti-shaped dip in the mattress that is oh-so-welcoming. There is hair in the drain, streak marks on the mirror, an almost empty bottle of lotion on the shelf, and a dusty weighing scale in the bathroom. I love you my home. You take me as I am. I take you as you are. 

Love you my Home (and my quilt)

If you follow the news (and who can blame you if you don't), you may have heard that the Senate left for recess with no Covid relief in sight. Small business owners, workers and families are desperate for support (think rent and mortgage payments) while the current administration abandoned them.  

"The Republican Senate can move incredibly fast when they think something is important. They just don't think Covid relief was important." - Leah Greenberg, Indivisible. 

I agree with Ms. Greenberg. 

Trees in Bloom

Hullo Charlie Brown

Playfully Yours

Octopus Rules

On one hand, I feel blessed that I do not have to worry about losing my home and on the other hand I feel ashamed and helpless for all those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads in these trying times. 

It is not like one can move in with friends and family till the relief check arrives.

So Vote. 

Your Vote is your voice. Make it heard.

Did you see my Puppy?

I can be crabby in my house

Picnic Ready

Bright & Happy

Your Vote can be a celebration of our democracy. Your Vote can be a referendum on the current state of affairs. Your Vote could be a bouquet to the incoming administration or a brickbat to the outgoing one. Your Vote is your resistance, your dissent, a map of things to come and yet it is useless unless you exercise it. Please do.  Your Vote has value but only if you cast your ballot.

Sunny Morning

Meet me by the Fountain

If you have a mail-in ballot, it may be too late to mail it.  Use an authorized drop-box.

Vote early if you can.  We did.

We are in this together

Get your flu shot and please wear a mask. And if you have thoughts about property values, value of your Vote or the values (light and dark colors) in my quilt, do let me know. 

Your comments are your votes on my work and I do value them so very much.  I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.