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Chicanery

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Politicians seem to be getting more and more unscrupulous these days. There appear to be more scandals of crooked politicians or hypocrites who preach leading a forthright private life and indulge in extra marital activities. But appearances can be deceptive. Either morals in general have slipped and their actions merely reflect the increasingly egotism that exists in our societies. Or such behavior has always gone on, it's just that it was never uncovered before - or the Press and media kept quiet about it.

Let's examine the two topics of our article. Financial chicanery is carried out for personal gain. A politician uses his position and power to gain financially, siphoning off money either from the public purse or from a private individual for favors his position allows him to offer. In the first case, the taxpayer is the loser as he has to foot the bill. In the second instance, the taxpayer loses in another way. Because the politician is indebted to his bank-roller for the cash he has received, his decisions are likely to be motivated by the interests of his backer, rather than acting for the people and the State. Such selfishness and greed is despicable.

So, what of the politician who commits a sexual peccadillo? Well, there are times when this could cloud his judgment. But generally, cheating on your partner is a private matter. You have to answer to your partner and loved ones. As long as it does not affect your role as a representative of the people, such behavior does not come close to what amounts to effectively robbing the public coffers. It may be hard for a politician to explain that to the wife he has just cheated on, but I think the general opinion would be that financial chicanery is far worse overall than a sexual peccadillo.

Learn more about this author, Phil Hill.
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