Message-ID: <330E09FA.11B@uniontel.net> Date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 12:47:54 -0800 From: David Johnson <mailto:pinefarm@UNIONTEL.NET> Subject: corruption To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
I was not surprised that there was corruption in Mexico. As
various responders have pointed out. there is corruption everywhere. What
surprised me was how widespread and open it is and how far down into
society it reaches.
I am surprised at the responses to the posting whose authors seem
to feel that bribes in third world countries are not all that bad but,
only another form of taxation which is actually a good way to tax
foreigners and the wealthy and therefore ease the burden on the poor.
The big difference between bribery and taxation is, of course,
that the bribe goes into the pockets of the corrupt person. This person
not only steals from me, he steals from his government who gets nothing
out of the transaction.
I feel that it is acceptable to denounce practices in whatever
country they exist without having to feel that you also have to denounce
various similiar practices in other countries thereby diluting the
original criticism.
There are plenty of people denouncing corruption in the American
political system and I share their views. I just don't feel under any
obligation to bring it up whenever other matters are being discussed.
If a thing is wrong, it is wrong and the fact that others do it
as well doesn't change that.
Actually, what is really wrong is that it is snowing and I'm
cooped up in the house all day. Dave Johnson