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Corruption is a Symptom of Greed!The desire to acquire or possess more material wealth than what one needs is a good definition of greed. Corruption in business and government is a symptom of excessive greed by many in positions of power. Greed for power is as serious as greed for monetary wealth.
When I see how greed has affected the lives of so many people, I have to believe that greed is one of the most serious problems any society faces. Through corporate scandals involving greed, innocent workers have lost their retirement savings and their jobs. I never hear our leaders, who claim great moral values, speaking of how the greed for profits and resources has hurt so many of their fellow citizens.
We all want to have financial security. The reasonable desire for financial security shouldn't be confused with the problem of greed. How many homes and cars are needed by any one individual? I'm not suggesting a vow of poverty!
Wealth is not a bad thing. Many wealthy people throughout history have been great philanthropist. Countless wealthy people have contributed to society in valuable ways. How wealth is acquired is what matters. If wealth is acquired through corruption and at the expense of others, society is not well served.
A vote in favor of a lobbyist by Congressional leaders in return for campaign contributions is an example of corruption driven by a self-serving interest. We have a current scandal of complicity by our Congressional leaders and lobbyists. Do you think free golfing trips, jobs for family members, and campaign donations qualify as a form of corruption and greed? One Congressman even received a Roles Royce as a gift. Wow!
Another Congressman, now under indictment for bribery, had ninety thousand dollars in his freezer. Talk about cold cash! Greed!
Our leaders discuss moral values in campaign promises. If our government is concerned about the future of our country, they need to address the greed and corruption in our government and corporate America.
A race to the bottom for the lowest available labor costs by corporate America will eventually catch up with us. The out-sourcing of good paying jobs lowers disposable income for working men and working women. The tax base is also affected by lower incomes for American workers. We have a shrinking Middle Class in America. Cheap products are great until you can't afford to purchase the cheap products.
When I hear political leaders talk about working hard on the peoples business, I don't think they understand what working hard means. To me, working hard is a housekeeper cleaning hotel rooms all day for minimum wage, a coal miner working in the coal mines all day and parents working two jobs to support their family.
U.S. Senators and Representatives are well paid. In fact, the last Congressional raise was $33.000.00 a year. Where is the interest in a real living wage for all American workers?
The excessive salaries of CEO's and corporate executives are a prime example of the greed epidemic in America. How do executives justify these excessive salaries? When Enron was failing, CEO, Ken Lay was collecting $6 million a year in salary alone. Damn!
Why don't the people receiving excessive salaries see the word greed anywhere? The answer is a sense of entitlement. Whether a CEO of a large company or an elected official, some people just believe the game is get all you can while you can.
I used to think that some people acquired great wealth because no one told them that they can't take it with them when they die. I think maybe I was wrong.
I think some people want all they can get in this life because they know they can't take it with them, so they want to get as much as they can while they are here.
I know that someday all my personal possessions will be landfill. Things are to be enjoyed for what they are: just things. We all want to work for security and a decent life, but people are what should matter most.
We need strong leadership willing to address the greed driven stronghold that American corporations have over a complicit government. It is time to treat the symptom of greed for power and wealth with integrity.
One possession political leaders can take with them is their good name-a legacy worth more than any material possessions.
Fred Flanagan
