No1 wants to point this out. No1 can afford it.
Publishers are subsidiaries of conglomerates that lobby the government.
Speaking bureaus run on access to future administrations.
Law firms pay retainers because their partners need the same favors next cycle.
And the journalists who might cover it work for media companies owned by those same conglomerates.
EVERYONE in the room is aware of this.
… So No1 does call it out.
So next time you hear about ridiculously high speaking fees, or a book deal from a prominent governmental official?
You know what to say:
It’s not a bribe, it’s a tip.
And it’s completely legal.