In Global Survey of Corrupt Nations ...U.S. Ranks 18th From Top

http://www.globalcorruptionreport.org/
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA2DYC9ILD.html

Oct 7, 2003
In Global Survey of Corrupt Nations, Bangladesh Is Worst, Finland Best; U.S. Ranks 18th From Top
By Bruce Stanley The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - Rich countries should end their financial support for corrupt governments and blacklist companies that get caught paying bribes abroad, a watchdog group that monitors corruption in 133 nations said Tuesday.
Half of developing countries suffer from "a high level of corruption," and some wealthy nations fare little better, according to surveys of business people, academics and risk analysts by Transparency International.
Bangladesh came in last, at 133, trailed by Nigeria and Haiti as the three most corrupt countries, according to the 2003 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.
Rated number one, or least corrupt, was Finland, followed by Iceland and, in a tie for third, Denmark and New Zealand. The United States was 18 on the list, tied with Ireland.
"Rich countries must provide practical support to developing country governments that demonstrate the political will to curb corruption," Transparency International chairman Peter Eigen said in a statement. <snip>

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/10/07102003162413.asp
World: Transparency Index Exposes Global Corruption
…easy question to answer for the millions of people around the world who have to pay bribes for everything from health care to education. <snip>
The index measures corruption, not democracy, he says. And it's corruption in the narrow sense -- how often a businessman has to pay a bribe to get a license, for example. That might mean countries with more state control over their economies score higher than ones with freer markets. <snip>
…his organization is eager to help those seriously intent on tackling the rot. It has policy recommendations on everything from conflict-of-interest rules to public procurement procedures.
(The full report can be found at www.transparency.org)

http://www.globalcorruptionreport.org/ Fair use notice: …material is being made available for purposes of education and discussion in order to better understand the complex nature of corruption in today's world. <snip>

n/t

Or maybe they're counting our status before the Bush cabal stole the WH.

in the market place.

Leaves the Bush folks speciality unaudited.

:-)

the 18th least corrupt. Corruption must be the rule.
Or, is it because corruption is legalized here?

The US is one of the most corrupt countries on earth.

If the public is blissfully unaware, it would affect the findings dramatically.

"Although comparisons can be difficult -- last year only 102 countries were listed while this year there were 133 because of more reliable information -- Eigen pointed to some trends.

"He said the situation had improved in Colombia, France, Germany, Malaysia, Norway and Tunisia.

"In contrast, a perception of corruption grew in Argentina, Belarus, Chile, Israel, Poland, the United States and Zimbabwe."

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/031007/1/3erew.html

We are nowhere near as bad as countries like Russia, Argentina, Brazil, or a whole slew of others despite what we think is rampant corruption. It isn't like Brazil where the police kill 12,000 people a year or South Africa where similar numbers are seen.