We are a deeply corrupted society
This week two elected candidates, at opposite sides of the political environment, were exposed and cleared for corruption accusations.
First, José Serra (PSDB-SP) had some irregularities regarding the funding of his campaign. His funding received money from companies related to the government. He was elected Governor of São Paulo.
Later, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT-SP) had exactly the same funding problems. About R$10 million originated in government-related companies.
The campaign funding has a clear rule: no government or government-related money can be given to any party or candidate, including that of public companies or companies that do business with the government.
Both fundings were nonetheless approved and the accusations were cleared.
Another example of "approved" corruption: almost all of the congresspeople involved in corruption in the past 4 years were also exempted of guilty. It is therefore not surprising that corruption is found deep in our society.
What kind of example does that set?
It certainly isn't a very good one! And we've been seen this kind of behavior for centuries now. Decade after decade of unpunished corruption has deeply tainted our society. We are a profoundly corrupt society, from the president all the way down to the common people.
Every where you go, you may presence someone trying to pull what has become known as the "Brazilian way". Drivers trying to bribe policemen, policemen trying to extort citizens, people breaking the rules solely for they profit.
Double parking, bribes, crime forgery, extortion, people cutting lines, lying in their tax reports, not providing (taxable) receipts, being loud after 10pm, selling their vote, the list go on... These are things you get to see every day! It's all part of our broken Brazilian way we are so fond of.
Everyone wants to outsmart the others, to get undue money, to have the felling of taking advantage of someone, to profit in their ingenuity. I don't know how to solve this... maybe it's impossible... but the least we can expect is to our leaders to give the example. Honesty must be shown as a virtue, not as ingenuity.
First, José Serra (PSDB-SP) had some irregularities regarding the funding of his campaign. His funding received money from companies related to the government. He was elected Governor of São Paulo.
Later, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT-SP) had exactly the same funding problems. About R$10 million originated in government-related companies.
The campaign funding has a clear rule: no government or government-related money can be given to any party or candidate, including that of public companies or companies that do business with the government.
Both fundings were nonetheless approved and the accusations were cleared.
Another example of "approved" corruption: almost all of the congresspeople involved in corruption in the past 4 years were also exempted of guilty. It is therefore not surprising that corruption is found deep in our society.
What kind of example does that set?
It certainly isn't a very good one! And we've been seen this kind of behavior for centuries now. Decade after decade of unpunished corruption has deeply tainted our society. We are a profoundly corrupt society, from the president all the way down to the common people.
Every where you go, you may presence someone trying to pull what has become known as the "Brazilian way". Drivers trying to bribe policemen, policemen trying to extort citizens, people breaking the rules solely for they profit.
Double parking, bribes, crime forgery, extortion, people cutting lines, lying in their tax reports, not providing (taxable) receipts, being loud after 10pm, selling their vote, the list go on... These are things you get to see every day! It's all part of our broken Brazilian way we are so fond of.
Everyone wants to outsmart the others, to get undue money, to have the felling of taking advantage of someone, to profit in their ingenuity. I don't know how to solve this... maybe it's impossible... but the least we can expect is to our leaders to give the example. Honesty must be shown as a virtue, not as ingenuity.
Labels: Corruption, Honesty, Politicians
posted by Real-Time Clock at 12/13/2006 09:08:00 AM
1 comments
