Government in Moldova passes Anti-Corruption Law. Entire Country Collectively Laughs.

"A new law regarding the prevention and combating of corruption in the Republic of Moldova stipulates that civil servants who commit acts of corruption will be fired regardless of the magnitude of the action and the right to hold public offices with be withheld for five years."

But seriously, the depth of corruption in Moldova has got me thinking... how did corruption lessen in the states (when and where it has lessened?)

Mostly, hasn't it been because someone has been embarassed? Some tv channel has done an expose that manages to capture money changing hands, or tracks bank accounts or something, and there's a "big public outcry," and someone gets fired?

Many of the comments in the article that talks about this law are from Moldovans who say that corruption is everywhere, and to a certain extent that's true... but it is said that the bribes given to public officials here are equal to 2/3rds of the annual budget. That's a little extreme.

Press isn't as free in this country as it is in many western countries... maybe corruption flourishes because there's no one to call them on their behavior publically.