??? ? ? ? ?in a rare unanimous ruling, the us supreme court has overturned the corruption conviction of a former virginia governor, robert mcdonnell. but it did so while holding its nose at the ethics of his conduct, which included accepting gifts such as a rolex watch and a ferrari automobile from a company seeking access to government.
the high court’s decision said the judge in mr. mcdonnell’s trial failed to tell a jury that it must look only at his “official acts,” or the former governor’s decisions on “specific” and “unsettled” issues related to his duties.
merely helping a gift-giver gain access to other officials, unless done with clear intent to pressure those officials, is not corruption, the justices found.
the court did suggest that accepting favors in return for opening doors is “distasteful” and “nasty.” but under anti-bribery laws, proof must be made of concrete benefits, such as approval of a contract or regulation. simply arranging a meeting, making a phone call, or hosting an event is not an “official act”.
the court’s ruling is legally sound in defining a kind of favoritism that is not criminal. elected leaders must be allowed to help supporters deal with bureaucratic problems without fear of prosecution for bribery.” the basic compact underlying representative government,” wrote chief justice john roberts for the court,” assumes that public officials will hear from their constituents and act on their concerns.”
but the ruling reinforces the need for citizens and their elected representatives, not the courts, to ensure equality of access to government. officials must not be allowed to play favorites in providing information or in arranging meetings simply because an individual or group provides a campaign donation or a personal gift. this type of integrity requires well-enforced laws in government transparency, such as records of official meetings, rules on lobbying, and information about each elected leader’s source of wealth.
favoritism in official access can fan public perceptions of corruption. but it is not always corruption. rather officials must avoid double standards, or different types of access for average people and the wealthy. if connections can be bought, a basic premise of democratic society—that all are equal in treatment by government—is undermined. good governance rests on an understanding of the inherent worth of each individual.
the court’s ruling is a step forward in the struggle against both corruption and official favoritism.
36. the underlined?sentence (para.1) most probably shows that the court
[a] avoided defining the extent of mcdonnell’s duties.
[b] made no compromise in convicting mcdonnell.
[c] was contemptuous of mcdonnell’s conduct.
[d] refused to comment on mcdonnell’s ethics.
37. according to paragraph 4, an official act is deemed corruptive only 
if it involves
[a] leaking secrets intentionally.
[b] sizable gains in the form of gifts.
[c] concrete returns for gift-givers.
[d] breaking contracts officially.
38. the court’s ruling is based on the assumption that public officials are
[a] justified in addressing the needs of their constituents.
[b] qualified to deal independently with bureaucratic issues.
[c] allowed to focus on the concerns of their supporters.
[d] exempt from conviction on the charge of favoritism.
39. well-enforced laws in government transparency are needed to
[a] awaken the conscience of officials.
[b] guarantee fair play in official access.
[c] allow for certain kinds of lobbying.
[d] inspire hopes in average people.
40. the author’s attitude toward the court’s ruling is
[a] sarcastic.
[b] tolerant.
[c] skeptical.
[d] supportive
?
【文章类型】
法令—–最高法院关于贪婪罪名的界定
这篇文章从最高法院关于一桩贪婪罪名案子的审理 ，深化谈论了美王法令上对糜烂这一罪名的界定。文中偏重，断定一个关所以不是贪婪最重要的根据并不是他是不是收受了礼物或为别人供给了信息或便当，因为在美国民主社会的概念中，为民众供给信息或协助是政府责任地址。要害是要看在供给信息和便当的进程中，是不是存在因为权钱生意而发生的的不公正行为。????