Cynthetiq

As you travel the world you'll see exactly that. Grease money seems to get things accomplished that would have not ever gotten done.

Basically the question to me isn't a political one but a philosophical or moral one.

Is the needs of the one more important than the needs of the many?

For some it's a matter of the inablity to live with one's self. My parents grew up where this kind of lifestyle was how things got done. When they emmigrated to the US, they found that they would not tolerate such behavior in their lives.

Fast forward 20 years later, they had an opportunity to help hundreds if not thousands by helping building a hospital and a water desalination plant. They declined and neither were built.

I only learned of the story from my parents recently. They felt the moral fibers of their very selves were at stake and couldn't allow themselves to participate in what they considered graft and corruption.

When they told me this, I had to think as to what I would have done. Would I help the thousands? Or would my own ego stand in the way?

For me, the answer would have been different. I would have taken the money. I would not feel good about taking the bribe, and to assuage my guilt I would have just donated the money anonymously to some charity or church. It would be the way I could help the maximum amount of people without compromising myself since I did not benefit from the monies in anyway.

I know of other situations to use, but will let others contribute tot he discussion first.

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