May 6, 2016
Editorial: May 6, 2016:
It was sometime during the 1980’s that the word ‘corrupt’ was soon to become almost an everyday word, associated with the functioning of Government. We will recall that Montserrat in 1960 had its first Chief Minister, national hero William H Bramble till 1970, then his son Austin till 1978, followed by Austin’s breakaway John Osborne through to 1991. What that meant there seemed to have been some stability for 31 years; and then there could be some explaination for this, as the deceased did have some rough periods throughout those 13 years.
It is a thought of concern for some, worth debating as it would all help Montserrat get some honesty to climb out of the ‘corruption’ and resulting mediocrity that has become the norm. The concern is the continued reference that since 1991-2014, over the next 23 years, there has been a change of chief minister/premier seven times, with two of those being repeats – One in the same period, the other from the previous period. Means there were really four new ones.
The accusation or the reference to these persons was pretty scarce except in few cases, but it started to become a more spoken word since 2008/9 with some suggestions, maybe because the meaning of the word became more real in the many circumstances. However or whatever the thought of the word only one of those nine chief ministers/premiers was ever officially charged with corruption, but it is fair to say he was acquitted.
The meaning of the word corrupt is really not difficult to understand, but there are many people who it may well fit, who benefit from it, will not believe they are corrupt. Corrupt: having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. Why don’t we leave it right there?
Corrupt | Definition of Corrupt by Merriam-Webster – to cause (someone or something) to become dishonest, immoral, etc.; to change (something) so that it is less pure or valuable.
We do not like this definition as we believe; no one can change into being corrupt unless he/she was already corruptible; just waiting for encouragement, or for the opportunity. Show your colours get semantic.
But we use corruption instead: Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit.
So this is preferable, someone’s state: Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit.
Wikepedia says, “The word was first used by Aristotle and later by Cicero who added the terms bribe and abandonment of good.” Remember when we said, our people just do not know how to be good, and that the church should preach about it?
There are those who believe they do a favour, when doing that which they ought do, or for that matter, not to do; that which is right, that which is fair, always following the law, regardless of race, creed, colour.
(See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_corruption) occurs when an office-holder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain. We have touched, shown these things, long before. And it is all around us, brazen and undisguised. Withholding business from the deserved, under pretense sometimes from some illegal directives. What was it we called ‘legal corruption.’ Corruption nonetheless.
Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, gombeenism, parochialism patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is also considered political corruption.
O yes, when the evidence of corruption is apparent to those responsible to expose it, what does it make them to suppress it?
We will follow up next week unless something else dominates as we talk about it is not just politicians in Government who may be corrupt, but all who make it up and operate it. No one person is corrupt. It takes an army with them.
Next week, the BBC reports: An international anti-corruption conference is being held in London, hosted by the Prime Minister David Cameron. We will be following that!
The writer of this information, Sean Coughlan Education correspondent writes: “It’s a toxic problem, corroding trust in everything from politics to sport to international aid.” Then he asks, “But what can be done to stop it? How about a more creative approach to deterrence?”
