The Grift Machine: How Corruption is Undermining America

 "Nothing about this country or how it runs is serious. It’s all just different levels of grift."

- My friend Gina B.

America has perfected the art of institutional grift. The mechanisms that govern the country often appear less like instruments of democracy and more like tools of exploitation, designed to funnel power and wealth upwards while leaving everyday citizens footing the bill. Let’s examine some of the recent, glaring examples of this systemic rot.

First, we have Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a man who’s increasingly synonymous with the ethical quagmire that has become the Court’s reputation. Investigative reports, such as those from ProPublica and The New York Times, have revealed his decades-long financial relationship with billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow. From luxury vacations to purchasing and renovating properties owned by Thomas’ family, Crow’s generosity appears boundless—and entirely unreciprocated, at least on paper. This brazen corruption is a slap in the face to every American who believes in justice and fairness. Justice Thomas has insisted these ties are innocuous, but this defense is laughably thin—an insult to the intelligence of the public. The conflict of interest here blatantly undermines the very notion of impartiality upon which the judiciary is supposed to stand. And the Supreme Court’s refusal to adopt a binding code of ethics? It’s nothing short of a disgraceful abdication of accountability.

Then there’s Elon Musk, a man whose influence increasingly transcends his tech empire. Musk recently found himself in a position to directly affect U.S. policy, reportedly meeting with members of the incoming administration, as documented by reports from The Washington Post and Politico detailing his private conversations with senior officials. Why? Because he paid for access. Let that sink in: a billionaire using his wealth to carve out a seat at the policy-making table. Musk’s relationship with politicians, both Democrat and Republican, reflects a disturbing trend: access to power is now openly for sale. His acquisition of Twitter (now X), a platform that shapes public discourse, further consolidates his influence. This consolidation is an outright threat to democracy, as one man’s unchecked power and wealth allow him to shape narratives and policies in his favor. Musk’s proximity to policy-making is not just uncomfortable; it’s a brazen display of how deeply money has corrupted the American system.

And speaking of the incoming administration, The Orange Menace's own dealings seem to have escaped serious scrutiny. Reports of lucrative business ventures benefiting close family members paint a picture of blurred lines between public service and private gain. The Wall Street Journal reported instances where family members of prominent officials secured high-paying roles in industries closely tied to government regulations, raising significant ethical concerns. We saw this in the last one; this blatant nepotism is an insult to every hardworking American who doesn’t have the luxury of leveraging familial connections for personal gain. It’s not just unethical—it’s a symptom of a broken system where those in power abuse their positions without fear of consequence. This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a bipartisan disease. From lucrative speaking gigs to cushy consulting jobs, proximity to political power too often doubles as a get-rich-quick scheme for family and friends. It’s not governance; it’s looting.

This trifecta of grift—judicial, corporate, and executive—paints a dire picture of a system that seems more interested in self-enrichment than serving the public. But despair is not an option; action is. Here’s what the American people can do:

1. Demand Transparency: Push for stronger disclosure laws that compel public officials and their families to declare all financial relationships. Transparency is the first step toward accountability.

2. Support Ethical Oversight: Advocate for a binding code of ethics for the Supreme Court and other government branches. It’s absurd that the highest court in the land is exempt from the ethical standards governing lower courts.

3. Get Involved: Hold elected officials accountable at the ballot box. Don’t just vote; engage with advocacy groups, attend town halls, and demand answers.

4. Strengthen Anti-Corruption Laws: Support legislative reforms that limit lobbying and dark money in politics. These reforms won’t happen without sustained public pressure.

5. Support Independent Media: Reliable journalism is a bulwark against corruption. Support outlets that expose misconduct and hold the powerful accountable.

The stakes are too high to remain passive. The grift we see today is not just a betrayal of the public trust; it’s an existential threat to democracy itself. By standing together and demanding better, the American people can ensure that their government serves them—not the highest bidder.