Corruption–The Opposite of Integrity

By: Anthony Pellegrino

Recently we discussed integrity. Let’s look at the opposite of integrity: corruption–the getting away with things we know to be wrong. Corruption is corrosive–little by little our values or principles of life corrode. Daily we die morally without realizing it. We begin to put material goods before values of life. And we rationalize to justify our decisions by thinking, “I have to survive”. What a shallow meaningless excuse!

There are four roads that lead up to corruption: 1). Self-interest–things we want; regardless of wrong we want them. 2). Self-protection–things we don’t want; regardless of wrong we will do anything to avoid. 3). Self-deception–a refusal to see a situation clearly; our view is the only correct one. 4). Self-righteousness–the end justifies the means attitude; the path of all tyrants. Anyone leads to corruption of the individual or state.

The type of decisions we make daily exemplify the quality of integrity that we possess. Often we castigate politicians because they steer close to the winds of popular opinion, changing their positions with every shift. But let us not forget that we also steer close to the winds when we feel that our cause will benefit by not adhering to a code of values, sincerity, honesty and candor. It is then that we border on corruption.

When we will show children the importance of integrity versus corruption? Our children must see us practicing what we believe, not what we preach. Integrity can only be learned from practice. Children reflect our beliefs and attitudes of right and wrong. Their hope for a better future begins within ourselves. Children live what they experience. And practicing integrity is a good point to start from.

As caring adults and parents, we must realize that the responsibility for the character of our youth is a shared one. The lessons in right and wrong that children learn at home must be reinforced, not only in the school curriculum, but by examples of adults and institutions throughout society.

Corruption is like a disease of the body. Without treatment, it becomes contagious and others will become infected until everyone suffers. Corruption can start from small incidents and then grow larger until there is no right or wrong decision to be made. Our immediate gratification is all that matters. We sell our souls to the highest bidder for a paltry sum.

No matter what our politics, no matter what causes we support, do we really want to be led or assisted by people who lack integrity? People whose word we cannot trust, whose motives we don’t respect and who would betray us when it is convenient for them? Who would sell our islands for their self-gain?

A person who practices integrity knows who he is and what he values. He has taken the time for self-reflection. He stays in control. He may be courteous, even charming, but he is never duplicitous. He never demeans himself with obsequious behavior towards those he thinks might do him some good. He is trusted because you know he is.

The reason I keep pounding about integrity is that I see a deterioration of it and an increase of corruption in the CNMI that is costing us the respect of foreign investors, the United States and slowly the rest of the world. Yet we refuse to accept the fact that perhaps our system of values is a bit lopsided at times. Instead we lash out at others blaming them for our problems, refusing to acknowledge that if we improve our practice of integrity, others will also. Smooth human relations revolve around integrity. Think about it.