Corruption

 

It’s your decision.

When we break out of the egg, we can’t make decisions. We have no reference points on where we are or what is happening. This all has to be taught to us. What we eat, what we wear, how we walk are all decisions made by others and we must obey for we have no other information to oppose the instructions.

The parents (aka ‘family’) are the first to propagate decisions on how to behave, who to associate with, what to believe based on heritage and status. This training precipitates our reactions to meeting strangers. Do they look like us? What is the cut of their jib? Should we approach them or avoid at all cost? Segregation of monitory equibalance, race, culture, gender is reenforced by neighbors, schools and religion.

Rules are applied at what age we are allowed to make decisions by ourselves. Sixteen is the age decided to be mentally and physically able to handle a two-ton vehicle traveling at 60mph speeds, but eighteen is draft age where we are old enough to fight and die for our country. This is the same age allowed to vote for the officials who make the laws, whichever comes first.

In whatever training procedure we are placed, individually must decide whether to pay attention and retain the knowledge being handed out or lose the opportunity when tested? After basic instructions on reading, writing and arithmetic and gaining a appropriate grade to wear a cap and gown to be presented with a piece of paper that states we are smart enough to enter the world on our own intelligence. Then we must decide to move on to higher learning or mechanical training.

As the interaction with others in sports, school, church or other, the segregation of genders fades with hormones and growth spurts. Decisions of who to ask, where to go, relationship identity, and intimacy are made through a fog of passion and peer pressure.

Life is nothing but decisions.

Choose a house or apartment? Get a career or just pay the bills? Buy a car? Get a pet? Move out of town? Marry or live together? Breed and propagate a family or abstain?

If lucky enough to get through leaving home to a self-sufficient life, more decisions must be made. Do we upgrade our appearance with finery and entertainment? Do we purchase a larger house or a fancy vehicle as status symbols? Do we live vicariously through offspring’s accomplishments? Do we strive for titles to accumulated monetary rewards to achieve the appreciation of a celebrity?

 

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

 

Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense that is undertaken by a person or an organization that is entrusted in a position of authority to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's gain. Corruption may involve activities like bribery, influence peddling, and embezzlement, as well as practices that are legal in many countries, such as lobbying. Political corruption occurs when an office-holder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain.

Historically, "corruption" had a broader meaning concerned with an activity's impact on morals and societal well-being: for example, the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates was condemned to death in part for "corrupting the young".

Contemporary corruption is perceived as most common in kleptocracies, oligarchies, narco-states, and mafia states, however, more recent research and policy statements acknowledge that it also exists in wealthy capitalist economies.

Corruption and crime are endemic sociological occurrences that appear regularly in virtually all countries on a global scale in varying degrees and proportions. Recent data (unknown source) suggests corruption is on the rise. Each nation allocates domestic resources for the control and regulation of corruption and the deterrence of crime. Strategies undertaken to counter corruption are often summarized under the umbrella term anti-corruption. Additionally, global initiatives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 also have a targeted goal which is supposed to reduce corruption in all of its forms substantially. Recent initiatives like the Tax Justice Network go beyond bribery and theft and bring attention to tax abuses.

 

The Emoluments Clause, as it exists in Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution, generally prohibits federal officeholders from accepting foreign gifts, payments, or other benefits without the consent of Congress. This provision aims to prevent foreign influence on U.S. government officials and maintain their independence.

We all like to get gifts. Bridal Showers, Housewarming party, Baby Showers, Birthday parties, Christmas are all formulated to exchange gifts and wishes. Dating is precipitated by the promise of spending time together will bring gifts of flowers, dining, dancing, entertainment and if the respondent cannot monetarily repay the lavish attention, possible intimacy. Decisions of expectations should be made and agreed upon in advance.

 

Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is the study of moral principles and conduct. It examines what is right and wrong, and guides individuals and groups in making decisions and acting in accordance with those principles. Ethics considers how we should live, our rights and responsibilities, and the language of right and wrong.

Some will arise from the crowd and promise to answer the dreams of leadership for the betterment of all. They may be good speakers preaching to attentive lemmings who filter sounds through pre-taught prejudice and bias experienced. We break into separate teams or clubs or parties or groups to reenforce our dedication to a carpetbagger medicine man promising spiritual salvation, economical wealth, family security and healthcare, plus a better future ahead.

When we stand in the voting booth scrolling down the menu of social media influencers, celebrity entertainers, revered military heroes, successful business entrepreneurs or hucksters searching for a plush job. We check off our selection and wait for the accountants to sort the data and present a winner.

We hope that our elected officials will make us proud as leaders dolefully working on behalf of the people. If not, we sort the cards and wait for the next chance while we tolerate the last decision.

 

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

God wants what is best for you. If you put something else before Him in your life, it’s harder for him to bless you.

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.”

Anything you worship more than God is a “graven image.” Cars, clothes, sports, even our jobs are dangerous things to worship because they can go away. But God will never go away, and that’s why it’s best for us to only worship Him.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”

This can mean using God’s name like a swear word, or it can mean saying you are a Christian but not living or acting like Jesus would want you to act.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Sunday, or the Sabbath day, is a day we can all go to church, worship God, and learn how to be better people and Christians. Keeping it holy means doing our best to remember Him throughout the day.

“Honour thy father and thy mother.”

It’s important to show our parents respect. This might look different for everyone, but we should always try to love and care for those who cared for us first.

“Thou shalt not kill.”

A simple but important rule for anyone.

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

Men and women make promises to each other when they are married. These promises are important, and breaking them causes deep sadness. Keeping those promises help men and women have happy marriages and happy lives.

“Thou shalt not steal.”

It is important to God that His children are honest with each other. Taking anything that doesn’t belong to you is stealing, and is against His commandment.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

This one is about honesty. If you lie to someone, you are “bearing false witness,” and may cause harm to yourself and to others.

“Thou shalt not covet.”

To covet means to be so jealous of something someone else has that you want it desperately. Coveting makes a person miserable and keeps them from putting God first. This commandment helps keep you from falling into this bad habit.

 

Integrity, in general terms, refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, meaning being consistent and adhering to ethical standards. It's about acting in alignment with one's values, even when faced with challenges or temptations. In a business context, integrity often means acting ethically and transparently in all aspects of the business.

 

As we pass through our probation period in employment to be mentored and observed and evaluated on productivity, if we meet approval (after some time) we get a raise in salary. Not only does that give am economic improvement but also an emotional security. The additional income may come with additional responsibility and a title. This may be a job description changer with oversight and evaluation and instructions and documentation of other workers. With that may be an office, requirement of dress code due to the position, attending boardroom meetings with a chance of offering your opinion to the decision makers or a key to the executive washroom.

As your importance grows, the prestige and power of the position will attract influencers bearing gifts. Perhaps a free lunch for an audience and a possible sale? Perhaps some sparkling bling to remember the business card? Perhaps some cash under the table or a new ride as ‘thanks’ for being swayed and sold goods or services on unproven or investigated promises?

Are our leaders so moral and ethical to turn away from persuasion and make decisions for the good of all or just self-absorption?

It’s your decision.