The country’s citizenry must lead corruption fight
Published:Wednesday | June 26, 2019 | 12:31 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Edward Abbey, an American author, said, “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”
This statement expresses the reality about keeping corruption in any government in check. The desire for “more” is innate in human beings, and when a person is in government, he or she has access to wealth and privileges galore.
Most persons who enter politics want power and the comfort money can buy.
Ministers in our system get well paid with extravagant benefits. The longer they are in politics, the more entitled they get. To expect a politician to end corruption is like asking a gangster to stop crime.
Dirty system
Too often, to get elected, politicians engage in bribery, whether through legitimate campaigning or through illegal inducements. How can they be expected to act honourably when, to ensure victory, they had to do dishonourable deeds? The fight against corruption must be led by a country’s citizenry or else it will be cosmetic or used as a political football.
BRIAN ELLIS PLUMMER