It really is just a different type of corruption. In the US, the bribes just come in the form of political donations, or giving someone's family member some work. I owned a bar/nightclub and we were expected to donate to the fireman's fund. I donated to Mark Leno too, despite not liking the guy at all. I mean, look at the people who got the contracts to build trump's border walls!
But it’s poisonous. The country will never develop beyond something like Malaysia with that level of corruption. One reason why Singapore is so wealthy is the crackdown on corruption. It’s just not tolerated.
And if disagree it’s anything like the US. When immigration officials ask for “tips” to do their job it’s beyond anything you’d see in the West.
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/i-felt-i-was-held-hostage-...
US did a pretty good job of preventing that sort of thing with more fair access to jobs.
That said, Jared Kushner didn't get the Saudis to give him billions of dollars because he's some magical savant. The corruption is right in front of our faces, yet people just tolerate it differently here.
How is that corruption?
“The grift from this family is breathtaking,” Mr. Christie said. “It’s breathtaking. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Kushner walk out of the White House and months later get $2 billion from the Saudis?”
“That’s your money he stole,” he continued, adding, “That makes us a banana republic.”
It’s pervasive in every police interaction, every interaction with government officials, to the point you cant get by day to day without paying bribes. Even in everyday things like getting a passport or registering your residence, let alone major interactions like buying a home or starting a business.
And it’s widely accepted by both the people taking bribes and giving them that it’s just “how it is”. It’s upfront, in your face and very few think it’s a big deal.
The US (or other Western countries) are nowhere close to that.