Introduction
What didn't I like?
I am naive.
I have never been able to understand why it is that politicians say that the reason they wish to become politicians is "to improve society" and then (some of them) are the very ones that are the most corrupt. Maybe it is just that they are more visible. I guess it's the hypocrisy that gets me!
Anyway, either my assumption is in-correct (they don't become politicians to improve society), or/and the control "systems and procedures" are in-adequate.
I mentioned earlier that in the UK we recently had the ("relatively minor") expenses scandal. One of the solutions put forward was to have a better salary for the politicians so that they "weren't tempted to take advantage of their positon"... uhm, don't think so.
Maybe we should consider providing them with a salary based on the "mean statistical income" of the population. This would discourage those that are interested in politics as a career and would encourage them to look at the needs of all in the country - an interesting solution. (although I can't see it taking off!)
Furthermore, a "bonus scheme" could be devised based on, say, the achievements of their declared top 5 aims. Thus encouraging them to achieve their aims (and that they are not just political "sound bytes").
continue
Corruption in Peru
Unfortunately, it appears that corruption in Peru is (still) wide-spread.
I used to think that it really only affected "the richest".
When I was 17/18 I used to drive around illegally in Lima with my parents consent and some money in my pocket in case I got stopped so that I could bribe the policeman. I never did get stopped!
(I got stopped when I was caught doing the same thing in England at the age of 20; but that's another story!)
On my visit in 2008, I was suprised by Fernando's strong reaction to attempted bribery by the police.
We had been stopped to have my car's papers controlled - it was all in order, I just couldn't find them! The police went and sat in their car - waiting for me to go over and "pay them off". I found my papers!
There was a similar strong re-action by Pablo to another event. Both of them felt very strongly that paying the police was "out of order"!
I now realise why. It affects the poorest the hardest; unlike the "rich", the poor can't afford it. So, if they can't pay, then they get a penalty or an inferior service.
The corruption starts at the top and permeates down through almost all state institutions.
Corruption in Peru (contd)
Examples:
Here are but a few recent examples of corruption. I have provided "Links" should you wish to view the reports.
a. In October 2008, the entire cabinet (including the then Prime Minister, Jorge del Castillo), resigned
after members of the party were implicated in a corruption scandal over the allocation of oil contracts. .
Yep - THE WHOLE CABINET RESIGNED!
I really can't begin to imagine the implications had Tony Blair and his entire cabinet had had to resign!
b. "Distribution of Earthquake Aid Under Scrutiny".
c. It has been alleged that some teachers have paid bribes to obtain their "certificates" to prove that
they have attended "extra-curriculum classes" designed to improve their skills.
When I was in Lima there was a Government TV campaign encouraging teachers to attend these classes.
Whilst sitting on the park bench in the central square in Huancayo I spoke with a Peruvian Teacher working
for the UN on the project to improve Peru's teachers' abilities.
He confirmed that he had also "heard of these allegations".
d. There are allegations that bribes are paid to hospitals to secure an earlier appointment and to
schools to obtain better exam results.
Please don't misunderstand me. I recognise that corruption is a world-wide phenomenon.
However, it is the extent that it exists in Peru at the highest level of government, the "drip down effect" on other institutions, ("If they do it, then why shouldn't I?"), and the impact that this then has on the disadvantaged that concerns me.
Peru ranks 75th out of 180 countries in a world "perceptions of corruption index".
So it is not the worst!
Links
Peru's energy and mines minister Juan Valdivia has resigned after a scandal allegedly involving kickbacks for oil concessions came to light.
BBC Oct 2008 Peru's government poised to quit
Oct 2008: Think Bush Has It Bad? Look at Peru's President
Pisco: "Distribution of Earthquake Aid Under Scrutiny".
"It (Peru) is rich in copper, silver, lead, zinc, oil and gold. Despite this, Peru's progress has been held back by corruption and the failure of successive governments to deal with social and economic inequality". Quote from BBCs Peru country profile.
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