Moral choice

Moral choice

In the fairytale story of Snow White, her step mother asked “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” We ask about some of our politicians (private citizens included!): “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greediest of them all?”

It is so discouraging to watch our country run by some politicians who are greedy and dishonest. Those politicians who are greedy and dishonest are also those who we described as “haves and have mores.” Indeed greed and dishonesty are sometimes rarely seen by those politicians who benefit from them. Nowadays, it is rare breed specie of a politician to run this country who is disinterested, unselfish, and honest. One writer says, “Looking for an honest politician is like looking for an ethical burglar.”

Examples of graft and corruption in the government abound and the latest of which is the alleged participation of politicians, private citizens, and construction firms in collusive practices for a major road construction. I am sure other scandalous and immoral graft and corrupt practices will unfurl in due time if these are left unchecked. It seems that the country is no longer ruled by decent and respectable lraders. This country seemingly is now ruled by thieves.

It is the corruption of greed and the politics of dishonesty of some of our public officials that have created dislocation and suffering in our society. It is greed and dishonesty that caused the shortage of classrooms in our schools. It is also the same greed and dishonesty that we have unpaved roads and decrepit bridges. They are also responsible in widening the gap between the rich and the poor in our society; render the poor homeless, the sick untreated and create unemployment. In the book of Jeremiah, he addresses these wicked people, in this language: “But you! You are full of selfish greed and dishonesty! You murder the innocent, oppress, the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”

There is no use beaming with pride saying that our country is booming in its economy while our society is greed-ridden. Even when our peso gets stronger, this does not outweigh our culture of greed and dishonesty. We have to make a moral choice: either to speak out and stand up for the gospel values of honesty or silently condone these social evils. Simply put, we can elect to stand up for morality or just keep our heads down. Carl Jung reminded us that “we live not only for our own lives but, whether we know it or not, also the life of our time.”