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GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - Corruption: Russia's incurable disease?
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- David August 2, 2008, 13:55
- Other than home grown corruption, which is so evident particularly in the West, the CIA have a very strong part to play in encouraging corruption in foreign lands, particularly in Russia. Perhaps there is this possibility in the sinking of Kursk and other major Russian tragedies. The CIA have a lot to answer for
- Glenn July 15, 2008, 00:25
- Corruption has grown so widespread and sophisticated that it threatens to undermine the very fabric of society. In some countries almost nothing gets done unless a palm is greased. A bribe to the right person will enable one to pass an exam, get a driver’s license, land a contract, or win a lawsuit.
Why do people choose to be corrupt rather than honest? For some, being corrupt may be the easiest way—or indeed the only way—to get what they want. At times, a bribe may provide a convenient means of avoiding punishment. Many who observe that politicians, policemen, and judges seem to ignore corruption or even practice it themselves merely follow their example.
As corruption snowballs, it becomes more acceptable until it is finally a way of life. People with pitifully low wages come to feel that they have no option. They have to demand bribes if they want to make a decent living. And when those who extort bribes or pay them to gain an unfair advantage go unpunished, few are prepared to swim against the tide. “Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad,” observed King Solomon.—Ecclesiastes 8:11.
Two powerful forces keep stoking the fires of corruption: selfishness and greed. Because of selfishness, corrupt people turn a blind eye to the suffering that their corruption inflicts on others, and they justify bribery simply because they benefit from it. The more material benefits they amass, the greedier those practicers of corruption become. “A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver,” observed Solomon, “neither any lover of wealth with income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) Granted, greed may be good for making money, but it invariably winks at corruption and illegality.
Another factor that should not be overlooked is the role of the invisible ruler of this world, whom the Bible identifies as Satan the Devil. (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9) Satan actively promotes corruption. The biggest bribe on record was the one Satan offered to Christ. ‘I will give you all the kingdoms of the world if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.’—Matthew 4:8, 9.
Jesus, however, was incorruptible, and he taught his followers to behave in a similar way. Could Christ’s teachings be an effective tool for fighting corruption today?
- Enrique July 2, 2008, 03:47
- Transparency International bases its data on statistics asking the common citizen if they know about somebody close who has profited from corruption.
Even if sometimes corruption doesn´t increase costs if the company which got a public contract has as good skills as the other ones, many times the consequence is inefficiency and waste of national resources, and that means the taxpayer ends paying more taxes.
That´s why it is important for the taxpayer, for the citizen, to keep corruption under some limits. It will not disappear as it has not been wiped out from Western Europe or America (just look at Enron with the billions of USD that it did cost...)
- Rad July 1, 2008, 01:01
- Response to writings by Steve on June 6, 2008, 01:15
Steve, it's painfully obvious that you've made the wrong conclusion about my experiences since you are gravely wrong.
Continuing in your mistaken beliefs, you speak as if the American Press is a "Holier than Thou" service of the anointed one. This is in no way the case as you would have us believe. Granted that they are regulated by the US Government and can have their license to operate revoked or suffer other consequences.
But just who are these people you call the Press? Anointed ones? Are they owned, who owns them? Are they paid, who pays them? Do they have benefits, vacation pay, etc.? What motivates them? Patriotism? Profit? Payment? Revenge? Success? Serving their masters? Are they "working" for free? Do they live in fear and carry hidden weaponry?
The Press in the USA that has exposure are owned and operated by the Wealthy elites in each and every community even down to the smallest township. They are in no way independent. The press are but a tool for the wealthy and connected to espouse their propaganda and ruin their opponents under a facade of independence through yellow journalism. True the wealthy and elites often bid for power amongst themselves and the media as a business revenue generating front cover also serve as additional weapons in this struggle.The media in the USA are just another branch of an already crooked and corrupt government.
You speak of many "good ol boys" being ruined. Who is behind the ruining? In the American Way: One man's ruining often brings another success and delight. Many does not include all and even if the entirety of corruption was addressed with objectivity that by no means is the whole matter.
- David June 18, 2008, 21:40
- Dan, re. the visa situation.
Goodness knows what problems you have experienced in getting a Russian Visa and the cost involved, and from which Embassy, but I can get my Visa through normal channels and nominal cost within 7-10 days (including weekend). I have never experienced a problem with the Russian authorities.
The Russian costs are quite reasonable. Of course, if you wish for a Visa to be processed in 1 day you are to pay more. This I, think, is quite acceptable and not corruption.
But to use your example how about examining England's costing structure re. Visa issues, the processes involved, the costs involved re. Entry Visa's - these costs are out of reach for a lot of people - is this not corruption based on what you have said?
Where you have corruption in Russia is quite open and one knows of its existence. The problem lies in the West where corruption is so rife, particularly in Gvt. circles. One cannot deny it and the matter is brushed under the carpet. It is time that the West woke up - one has to look at the so called oil crisis. Raising the price, unnessessary so, is this not corruption? Raising the price of fuel, in England, 1p-2p each week, is this not corruption? One can go on for many hours giving simple examples of how corrupt the West is.
I am giving credit where credit is due, the Russian authorities at the London Embassy have always done me good and have no issue.
- sunnymarky June 6, 2008, 11:57
- How interesting on a thread "Corruption":Russias Incurable Disease" started by Russia Today because they know its a disease, posters want to talk about other countries in particular USA and UK. Some people seem in denial , blinkered , blind or perhaps have no idea how much of a disease it is . Less than 20 years since the fall of the Soviet Union all evidence shows that much of the same corrupt practices and more because of the wealth created and lack of accountablity and controls.
- Steve June 6, 2008, 01:15
- Rad, it's painfully obvious that you have little or no experience in living in the USA. Your implication that causes people to be excluded from economic and social prosperity is ridiculous. is there corruption in America? of course there is. There is corruption all over the world, because we are human. Unlike many other nations, corruption in America...at ever level...is held in check by the press. The American press answers to no one, and will gladly report corrupt practices by mayors, Govenors, Senators, Business Leaders, etc. many of the "good ol boys" have had their careers ruined by a press expose. The surest way to keep corruption to a minimum while still maintaining freedom is an impartial and independent press.
- Rad June 4, 2008, 03:23
- No, corruption is not Russia's incurable disease. If you want to see corruption in Russia, try to imagine the nightmare of that ever so conniving "Russian exile Tycoon" in London and his unrelenting, bumbling, devious plotting Chess Master friends coming to power through some grand master criminal trickery in Russia, and how quickly they would empty the Russian treasury into their pockets and those of their western benefactors, all in the name of democracy and Mother Russia. This threat is one of the greatest dangers Russia has faced and still faces each and every day.
For some reason, there are those who wish to portray Russia as the only place in the universe with problems. Even if these "problems" are blown up out of proportion to build this myth against Russia, as if they are free of sin.
There is rampant and much more serious corruption in the west, especially the USA. I wish RT would report more about this. From the lowest levels in their American cities and towns, there is an "old boy" atmosphere and structure. This transcends to the very top of their government and courts through every working structure of their "democracy." Every now and then they may prosecute a few high profile cases relating to corruption, but in the USA, corruption is a cornerstone of their democracy and never disappears. There are actually two classes of people in the USA. The insiders who have influence and everyone else.
Try to picture a small town in the USA where the people of influence occupy all the positions of power such as Mayor, Police Chief, Judge, Commission heads, Faculty at a School, Media, etc. Collectively they also own or control most of the commercial interests and expensive property. They belong to the same church, clubs and socialize together. Through their friendships they reach a common understanding that they all need to work together in order to maintain their positions of power. They are judge, jury and executioner. Would any of you feel safe and secure living in their American small town?
In the USA, many such towns have banded together to become a City and then part of a County. There are many such Counties in a State. 50 or so such States make up the USA. This is what the USA represents. Corruption is intertwined within the very fabric of their lives in these two Americas. The one of corruption you don't see so apparently at first, disguised by the other representing their fantasy land of make believe.
Some of you think that in the USA, their wealthy, officials and government workers at all levels have somehow transcended humanity to become baby faced angels. That's not true. Corruption exists and it's very dangerous, especially if you become their victim at any level and have the misfortune to expose or fight for truth. Then you'll learn the true meaning of their American democracy and what it really means.
- dan May 31, 2008, 12:40
- To obtain a visa for most countries in the world only takes a few days regardless of who you are.To get a visa for Russia takes 16 working days but if you pay more to the Russian embassy they will process your visa much quicker depending onhow much you are prepared to pay.$75 for 16 days rising to about $400 for one day.Is this official corruption?
- Strewf May 11, 2008, 22:09
- No, No, No! Corruption has no boundary, has no country either it is human greed its everywhere, for an inexplicable reason people try and justify it, there is no justification it is what the 21st Century is all about, everyone for himself!
From the small company to the big cooperations and yes governments too, but then its all human and nothing less than humans trying to laud it over another human, shame because if we are as some stupid persons seem to think that we come from chimps, how come they do not get influenced with corruption and yet we being a descendant and supposed to be more intelegent are less so, and yet more prone to corruption!
- David April 16, 2008, 08:01
- Corruption - take a look at what is happening in england regarding the sale of weapons to saudi arabia
- ROBERT (U.S.) April 9, 2008, 20:26
- Corruption in a Sociaty must first be fought in the Moral battle grounds.That is the type of religion. Catholic verses Christianity (Baptist).Catholic tend to forgive there sinners to easly.The second is to start to fight corruption at the lower levels of goverment. The pay scale must be fairly high for goverment employees at all levels so as to be scared to lose there jobs if they get caught in some illegal activity .The third is to implements the insecurity factor (i'll never find a job that pays this good if iI lose this one). This is done by giving high loans for homes and cars at low skill goverment empoyees.The second battle ground is to fight corruption in the higher levels of goverment.This may be done through the enactment of legislation of laws passed by committees. Pressure put by some peoples media orginizations and watch groups and churches.
- IP April 6, 2008, 21:37
- Corruption can be dealt with in many ways by the local authorities, the main point is to have funds alocated by the govermnent. Then the inspectors or any staff involved in such corruption checks and audits need to have a contract to perform such duties which would give them some financial rewards.
However, I must say that if these financial rewards by the government are not very high or if someone could offer a bribe higher than the financial reward, the bribe is likely to be accepted.
The other point is the so-called culture thats in place in russia (and other former ussr respublics). It is about the fact that the people, when some mutual financial gain is involved tend to support each other and do not give each other away, unlike in the western european cultures where everyone always complains about one another, even about some small insignifficant things.
I beleive that this behaviour/culture is partly due to peples' resentment with the government, mainly with its poor financial rewards, unwillingness to raise salaries, and so on.
The other issue is the culture where russian people like to give each other presents, unlike the situation in the west where everyone counts avery penny and wont even speak to each other.
It is a custom for example to lay a table, to give some kind of present or offer some service to someone who's done a good service to you. Otherwise it will be viewed as rude if you do not show appreciation.
- fred March 26, 2008, 15:27
- sevodnya ...
i give you a suggestion :
go to Washington D.C. , to look at lobbysts ...
corruption has many faces ...!
but it is true that when a civil servant in the middle of nowhere after the Baïkal accept a small gift in exchange for a dutie , he is already being paid for , this is corruption...
when a prime minister accept money for his party and in exchange offer Lord title access , it is called : good governance ...
when a prime minister of a country you state well knowning , put down the translator handset when the speaker make a speech on "ukrain and its double or even triple standarts" this is not corruption , it is called "she needed a break !"
and when a representative or senator accept to be "travelled" in a private jet , own by a private company , he may have to vote to facilitate buisness , it is called : normal way of making "arrangments" ...
you see corruption is everywhere and in many differents forms ...
ABSOLUTELY not SOLELY Russian ...
but the only way out is when NORMAL peoples starts to say NO!
- Sevodnya_Net March 24, 2008, 00:29
- Any country with a massive, underpaid bureaucracy (I believe Russia has a larger bureaucracy now than in Soviet times)and a non-functioning legal system will suffer corruption as Russia does. Russians are only showing their human nature by filling the resultant vacuum.
Obviously the only anti-corruption policies which will work will be those which address the above issues.
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