Integrity vs. Corruption

Yesterday I remarked that corruption is like the rape of a community by persons for their own self-interest at your and my expense. To heck with the effect it has on us, they want their share regardless of the consequences. When an agency created to oversee the actions of government officials screams out in bold headlines that corruption is widespread, and when a previous Legislature blatantly spends over $6.87 million on their whims, what action are we taking to expose the offenders and to stop the corruption?

It is a sad commentary that we have to be constantly reminded what integrity is and how important it is if we are to remain a healthy and strong society. Integrity is an abstract word which is difficult to define but easily recognized when seen in practice. A person with integrity is a whole person, a person somehow undivided. He knows that what is right is right even if no one else is doing it. He also knows what is wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. A man or woman is one who adheres to a code of values, utter sincerity, honesty, and candor.

Integrity requires three steps:

1) revealing insight and understanding of what is right and what is wrong;

2) acting on what we have discerned even at personal cost; and

3) saying openly that we are acting on our understanding of right and wrong.

The most important thing is that the man of integrity must take action to right what he considers a wrong. He simply does not express that it is wrong, but will take action at whatever cost. In order to live with integrity, it is sometimes necessary to take that difficult step-to get involved- to fight openly for what one believes to be true, right and good, even when there is a risk to oneself.

Corruption- the getting away with things we know to be wrong- is the opposite of integrity. If we don’t stop the corrosive effects of corruption, we will die morally without realizing it. We begin to put material goods before the values of life. Corruption is like a disease of the body, left untreated it will eventually consume us. Our instant gratification is all that matters. When we become corrupt we sell our souls to the highest bidder for a paltry sum. We will even sell our islands for self- gain. We become a sick society.

We must show our children the importance of integrity versus corruption. Children must see us practicing what we truly believe, not what we mouth off. If we want our children to keep the future of the CNMI strong and alive, they must be taught through action the difference between corruption and integrity.

If I sound as a moralist, than so be it. We must stand up to the corrupt acts committed by our fellow citizens if we are to perpetuate the good life that we envision for our family and children. We must not let anyone rob us of our dreams.

Consider Benjamin Franklin’s words, “ Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of a master….Nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue.” Or recall the words of Alexis De Tocqueville written in 1835: “America is great because she is good, but if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” And finally Dwight D. Eisenhower as he reminds us: “Without a moral and spiritual wakening there is no hope for us.” Wake up and strike back!

Strictly a personal view. Anthony Pellegrino writes every Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Pellegrino can be reached at tonypell@saipan.com