Re: not quite so extreme, please

"If any group can make gains for itself at the expense of other groups, and with minimized or diffused consequences, what's to stop it from doing so?"

You are correct that corruption has always existed, and exists apart from government. My point was simply that our current system of government encourages corruption and punishes honest labor.

It is unlikely that corruption can be eradicated, but competition and rule of law can together keep the levels relatively low.