In the regal hallways where power and policy intertwined, the ornate grandeur of a government building in Washington DC had been grotesquely repurposed. Podiums meant for speeches had been shouldered aside for a monstrous machine, whose only purpose was to spew forth a ceaseless torrent of green dollar bills with a rhythmic, invasive clamor. This was a temple of democracy converted into an unholy shrine of avarice.
At the side of the machine stood the president, a mosaic of unabashed greed and satisfaction etched across his countenance. With a kind of feverish eagerness, he crammed handfuls of currency into his pockets – bulging at the seams now, but still not enough, never
Interesting Facts:
1. The first U.S. paper bills were originally printed by private banks and not by a unified money printing machine until the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.
2. Its against U.S. federal laws for Presidents or any other public officials to personally profit from their position, including discreetly receiving money, making the concept of a president stuffing cash into his pockets illegal and punishable.
3. Despite their serious image, FBI directors throughout history have been known to possess a sense of humor. James Comey, who was the FBI director from 2013-2017, was particularly known for his wit and hearty chuckle during lighter moments.
4. Corruption and power can go hand-in-hand due to the Principle-Agent Problem: when an agent (public servant) pursues hidden, personal interests over the interest of the principal they are hired to serve (the public, society, the country).
5. Washington D.C. was purposely designed with broad streets and low-rise buildings to symbolize transparency and honesty. Ironically, it has since become synonymous with political corruption and power struggles in popular culture.
—
In hands of power, secrets bloom,
Machine sings a golden tune.
The President, in shadows gloom,
Fills his pockets by light of the moon.
The FBI director, laughing clear,
His echoes in the guilty ear.
Corruption’s dance, shed not a tear,
In Washington, its all career.
