Businessman Quote by Jon Stewart
“Robert Torricelli, a powerful fund-raiser who helped raise more than $100 million for the Democratic party, took inappropriate gifts from a businessman, including an $8,000 gold Rolex watch, for which he was severely admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee in July. To recap: raising $100 million in contributions from gigantic corporations - ethical; taking a watch - unethical. That's the Senate Ethics Committee, an oxymoron since 1974.”
About This Quote
Source Television: The Daily Show, segment on political ethics, 2015
Political fundraising can blur ethical lines, especially when gifts are involved.
In simple terms: Money and gifts can corrupt politics.
Key Takeaway
Scrutinize donor relationships.
Themes
politics
ethics
fundraising
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
commentary
explanatory
When to use this quote
- election cycles
- senate hearings
- public trust
Key Concepts
conflict of interest
campaign finance
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent corruption?
- Are gifts always unethical?
A Different Perspective
Legal limits vary; intent matters.
![“[Senator]Torricelli [D-NJ] will leave public office with just the clothes on his back, a Rolex watch and other assorted jewelry, a TV set, a couple of racks of Italian suits, some Jets tickets, a grandfather clock and three paper sacks filled with small, unmarked bills.” quote by Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfc/ann-coulter-469_assorted_senator-torricelli-d-nj-will-leave-publi_3199105.jpg)
![“[Donald Trump] has done a financial disclosure, which has gone through the Office of Government Ethics. I think he's done that twice. That is his duty under the law. I hear no complaints about that.” quote by Jason Chaffetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f5/jason-chaffetz-17908_complaints_donald-trump-has-done-a-financial-disclo_261934.jpg)
