CORRUPTION

From My Perspective - - -

CORRUPTION is defined Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary as: “1.The act of corrupting or making putrid…decomposition or disorganization, in the process of putrefaction; 2.The product of corruption; putrid matter. 3.The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue, or moral principle; the state of being corrupted or debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity; wickedness; impurity; bribery.”

The FBI (http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/pubcorrupt/pubcorrupt.htm) has an entire Division that is assigned to deal with Public Corruption. Their purpose is summed up in these words: “Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top investigative priorities—behind only terrorism, espionage, and cyber crimes. Why? Because of its impact on our democracy and national security. Public corruption can affect everything from how well our borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected…to verdicts handed down in courts…to the quality of our roads and schools. And it takes a significant toll on our pocketbooks, too, siphoning off tax dollars…” Their track record is very good and they are able to report: “We've got a strong national program with agents in place around the nation dedicated to the issue. In our investigations, we use every tool we've got—our cyber capabilities, our surveillance skills, our ability to track financial dealings around the world. Last year, we opened over 900 cases, which led to over 650 convictions or guilty pleas…”

Because of the pervasiveness of Corruption, the FBI has it ranked Number 4 on their list of investigative priorities. Their priorities are: “1. Protect the United States from terrorist attack. 2. Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage. 3. Protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes. 4. Combat public corruption at all levels. 5. Protect civil rights. 6. Combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises. 7. Combat major white-collar crime. 8. Combat significant violent crime. 9. Support federal, state, county, municipal, and international partners. 10. Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's mission.”

Leading up to the 2006 Congressional Election, the mantra employed to remove the Republicans in favor of Democrats was – “There Is A Culture of Corruption in Washington.” That was successful in terms of the election – but then what? The Culture of Corruption is worse than ever. The words are apt that state: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Those who are charged with oversight have failed miserably in their task. We find that the Chairman of the Banking Committee has even been involved in a homosexual relationship with one whose failure in the Housing Market is beginning to be known. In some inexcusable way, those who have been involved in CORRUPTING the system are now charged with investigating the CORRUPTION, as well as having oversight of the distribution of more than $700 Billion Dollar funding to bailout (rescue) the very organizations where they have consistently looked the other way while continuing to receive Campaign Contributions from these same organizations.

The Scriptures have much to say about corruption. To illustrate – Galatians 6:8 states: “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption…” and in II Peter 2:18-19, “For, speaking loud boasts (such as, “we’ll rid Washington of the Culture of Corruption”)… They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” That’s it in a nutshell – those enslaved to corruption will investigate corruption! Are you optimistic that anything meaningful and/or beneficial will result? Only the naïve would expect any remedy by the corrupt regarding corruption.

Consider these things with me - - - Remember to follow the words of Scripture – Hebrews 13:18 (NLT): “Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.” - and – Philippians 4:8-9, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned…and heard…and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you…”