Saturday, October 15, 2005
Corrupt and Avaricious
Though currently residing in the US of A, I'm still very much interested in events happening in the Philippines. Sadly it is very disappointing especially how our so-called "leaders" ("elected"? politicians) comport themselves.
They are supposed to set the example. They are supposed to be the "father" or "mother" of the specific geographical area they were voted into. Be it a barangay, municipality, city, provincial or national level. They are supposed to regard their constituents as their children with vision of improving their lives and well being.
Alas, if we call our country "home" then our so called "parents" are not fit to raise a family. They only think of how to enrich themselves and perpetuate their dynasty. They don't care if their children go hungry, wallow in squalor, be uneducated or leave "home" to sell themselves to our "neighbors". Our so called parents are not ashamed that our "neighbors" look down upon their "family". The word "shame" is lost in their vocabulary...and it is not surprising, for they represent the meaning of the word but are in total denial. Thick skinned and unrepentant. They have mastered the art of rationalizing their actions. Mouthing legal jargons and even quoting Bible verses so their conscience will be clear.
Corrupt and avaricious...Here's the Php 100.00 I've collected from our group as taxes, said the politician. We'll spend Php 25.00 to buy us food and I'll keep the Php 75.00 as payment for my effort in collecting your contribution. Without me there'll be no food concluded the politician. It's like the billboard we read whenever there are projects being undertaken:"This Road Project courtesy of: President- Senator- Congressman- Mayor- Councilor- Barangay Captain...courtesy of Who??...where did the money come from anyways? Behind those Php 100.00 Road Projects only Php 25.00 goes to the actual budget to build the road and Php 75.00 goes to the courtesy of Who?
Only they know the morality of their actions for they often say: If I can defend it in court then what I'm doing is not wrong...is it?
"But how is this legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime." ~Frederic Bastiat, The Law
