The Art of Corruption

The writing was on the wall. My 16 year old ego would not let me face the humiliation of going to court over a driver’s license offence.  But it was what I deserved for disobeying the law. I knew I had to make a decision…………I pulled out my wallet. The score: – Ego-1: Ethics-0

I guess I have myself to blame for voluntarily becoming another pathetic link in the disgraceful chain of bribery and corruption. But a driving violation I could have dealt with if I had to. What about those people who have been cheated out of their life’s earnings, the father whose son’s murderer was never brought to justice simply because the murderer was a relative of a high ranking official, the old woman who lost her hardly earned pension money simply because she belonged to a lower class of society, or the slacker who got a scholarship over other better deserving students simply because his dad was a cop. What does being on the wrong side of justice feel like to them?

I conclude on the sad fact that despite India having some of the hardest working people, the brightest minds and the most abundant natural resources, we are still a poor and developing country. Official label – Third-World Nation. Some confused patriotic people prefer to blame it on the population or our 400 year slavery under the British. Population is quantity, the problem here is quality. And the British haven’t been around for the last 5 decades. I say, it begins with the character of the people in the high ranking positions of the nation’s government. Late American president JFK once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” I did my part, John – I pay my taxes and obey the law. What more can I do – enforce the law, fight crime, stabilize the economy or feed the poor? Oh wait, isn’t that the government’s job!?!