To paraphrase British historian Lord Acton: “[Money] tends to corrupt, and absolute [money] corrupts absolutely.”

During my time as a Texas elected official, I happened to witness an almost vaudevillian performance of Lord Acton’s axiom on the floor of our state senate. A multimillionaire named Bo Pilgrim, baron of a factory chicken empire called Pilgrim’s Pride, had come to the Capitol to speak against a bill requiring corporations like his to provide decent workers’ compensation benefits. Bo didn’t speak in words, however – he simply walked onto the senate floor and brazenly handed out $10,000 checks to compliant senators.

Today, corporate political money doesn’t just talk, it screams – drowning out the voices of all who oppose the special favors the corrupt “donors” buy. And these days, a $10,000 check is considered almost charming in its innocence.

Take Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a far-right-wing demagogic politico who prides himself on demonizing and directly harming poor and powerless people, while scooping up fantastic donations from the financial powers he serves. This year, after railroading a slew of corporate gimmies into law, Abbott cashed in. Last month alone, he pocketed four million-dollar checks – one each from a real estate titan, a ruthless pipeline autocrat, a Trump backing money manager, and one of Elon Musk’s corporate operatives.

Excuse me for speaking out, but this is a gross example of kakistocracy – government by and for the very worst people in society. If they didn’t shower him with cash, even Greg Abbott wouldn’t speak to them. It’s time to start calling this what the dictionary plainly says it is: Bribery.

Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe