MAKE FIGHTING CORRUPTION A PRIORITY

A couple of days ago we learn the police arrested two Roman Catholic priests from the Delray Beach area, for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from their parishes. Prior to that, there was the $2.4 million cellular phones fiasco at Miami-Dade Water and Sewer, the misuse of housing agency funds to enrich a private developer, and the selling of contractors’ permits by Miami-Dade County employees. No year passes by without a significant number of corruption scandals involving people citizens are supposed to trust.

In the priests’ case, I do not understand why it took so long to discover the suspected thefts. We are not talking about a couple of thousand dollars. One of God’s workers allegedly bought over $200,000 in rare coins with church money. The dioceses should have a good idea of what parishes collect every week. Obtaining accurate estimates after conducting periodic random samples would be a good idea. The implementation of effective auditing procedures would then ensure the discovery of any irregularities. If the allegations prove true, it is a shame. The people of that parish must be devastated. “If you cannot trust your priest, who can you trust?” they must think; but I believe they were just unlucky. Most priests are trustworthy, or so I consider. Only a small minority cannot be trusted with one’s money or with one’s children.

Regarding government corruption, it happens everywhere, not only in Miami-Dade County. Those who occupy the highest-level positions in government should make fighting corruption a priority. At federal, state, and local levels, first we need good systems and procedures to minimize the chances an individual or small group misuses public authority or public funds. Then we need the effective and efficient use of undercover investigators, inspectors, and auditors to catch those who betray the public’s trust. Finally, we need the judicial branch of government to impose stiff sentences on those who try to profit at the expense of taxpayers.

The waste, mismanagement, and corruption in government cause the average citizen to lose a good part of his income. Off the top of my head, I would say we could save thirty percent of what we pay in taxes, if those who work for us act with diligence and integrity. The least we should expect from our politicians, public officials, and government workers is that they abide by a high standard of ethical and moral principles. When they fail to do so, we should hold them accountable and make them pay dearly for their transgressions. Corrupt office holders deserve longer jail terms than common thieves, because the latter do not make an oath to serve the public. In my book, breaking that oath is tantamount to treason.

Recommended Reading: Ercian Testament - Part Three, chapter 24 “Ercian Values and Ideals.”