Corruption begins early
Corruption begins early
By Bob Garon
TODAY Newspaper
Monday, January 10, 2005 11:45 PM
Dear Bob: You are absolutely right in your analysis of why students cheat in school. It surely is a reflection of our society, our culture, our school priorities and our religious beliefs.
No wonder the corruption in government could be in perpetuity. Only in the Philippines! Where will the honest politicians come from in the future? The current generation cannot be a source of potential honest leaders for reasons you have stated in your article.
With exposure to a pervasive society indulging in sex scandals, unlawful behavior, illegal wealth accumulation, etc., how can a young mind develop a character conducive to creating an acceptable and ideal behavior?
How long can the Philippines go on this way? Is there any solution at all to save the country from destruction? It seems to be headed that way. Something has changed in the Philippines within the last 60 years.
Sorry, but I’m just expressing my thoughts.
—Name withheld
***
Don’t be sorry. We need more people like you to express their anger and indignation over what’s happening to our society. Those of us who would want to do something but do not know where and how to start can at least make their voices heard. We can speak up about the evil that we see is becoming an acceptable part of everyday life.
There are among my readers those who see me as a gloomy and pessimistic man who cannot see anything good in our society. The fact is that I love this country and its people. I see so much that is good and wonderful. This is why I have spent the last 40 years here, and I intend to die and be buried in the soil of this land.
Still, I am hurt and offended by the rampant graft, corruption and an incredible amount of dishonesty that contaminates all that is good. And it begins early in life because, as you say, “with exposure to a pervasive society indulging in sex scandals, unlawful behavior, illegal wealth accumulation, etc.” (all forms of dishonesty), how can a young mind develop a character conducive to creating an acceptable and ideal behavior?”
Our children learn from us. They are products of the home and society. They watch their elders carefully and learn from them. In less corrupt societies, they learn honor and honesty and grow up valuing these qualities, and living them on a day-to-day basis.
In our country, we talk a lot about “doing what’s right.” We’re long on talk, but short on walk. We talk the talk, but don’t walk the talk. And we get insulted when people remind us of what we are. Instead of doing something about it and changing our ways, we lash out at our critics. We reject the obvious and go on our way, doing what we have always done.
Is there hope for our country? Of course, there is. We are an intelligent, talented people. One day, when the nation gets completely fed up, the people will rise up, demand real change and refuse to listen to those who talk the talk but won’t walk the talk.
That day may not come until we hit bottom and bounce a couple of times, but someday the people will shout “enough of this, time to change.” Then, it will happen. Till then, people like you and I need to keep showing our indignation and hoping to add more and more voices to the chorus of protesters.
By Bob Garon
TODAY Newspaper
Monday, January 10, 2005 11:45 PM
Dear Bob: You are absolutely right in your analysis of why students cheat in school. It surely is a reflection of our society, our culture, our school priorities and our religious beliefs.
No wonder the corruption in government could be in perpetuity. Only in the Philippines! Where will the honest politicians come from in the future? The current generation cannot be a source of potential honest leaders for reasons you have stated in your article.
With exposure to a pervasive society indulging in sex scandals, unlawful behavior, illegal wealth accumulation, etc., how can a young mind develop a character conducive to creating an acceptable and ideal behavior?
How long can the Philippines go on this way? Is there any solution at all to save the country from destruction? It seems to be headed that way. Something has changed in the Philippines within the last 60 years.
Sorry, but I’m just expressing my thoughts.
—Name withheld
***
Don’t be sorry. We need more people like you to express their anger and indignation over what’s happening to our society. Those of us who would want to do something but do not know where and how to start can at least make their voices heard. We can speak up about the evil that we see is becoming an acceptable part of everyday life.
There are among my readers those who see me as a gloomy and pessimistic man who cannot see anything good in our society. The fact is that I love this country and its people. I see so much that is good and wonderful. This is why I have spent the last 40 years here, and I intend to die and be buried in the soil of this land.
Still, I am hurt and offended by the rampant graft, corruption and an incredible amount of dishonesty that contaminates all that is good. And it begins early in life because, as you say, “with exposure to a pervasive society indulging in sex scandals, unlawful behavior, illegal wealth accumulation, etc.” (all forms of dishonesty), how can a young mind develop a character conducive to creating an acceptable and ideal behavior?”
Our children learn from us. They are products of the home and society. They watch their elders carefully and learn from them. In less corrupt societies, they learn honor and honesty and grow up valuing these qualities, and living them on a day-to-day basis.
In our country, we talk a lot about “doing what’s right.” We’re long on talk, but short on walk. We talk the talk, but don’t walk the talk. And we get insulted when people remind us of what we are. Instead of doing something about it and changing our ways, we lash out at our critics. We reject the obvious and go on our way, doing what we have always done.
Is there hope for our country? Of course, there is. We are an intelligent, talented people. One day, when the nation gets completely fed up, the people will rise up, demand real change and refuse to listen to those who talk the talk but won’t walk the talk.
That day may not come until we hit bottom and bounce a couple of times, but someday the people will shout “enough of this, time to change.” Then, it will happen. Till then, people like you and I need to keep showing our indignation and hoping to add more and more voices to the chorus of protesters.
posted by Dante at 3:49 PM
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