Aleksandar Petrovich *
in 1991 showed that dozens of U.S. congressmen, including Speaker of the House, Democratic Party leader in the House of Representatives and the Republican opposition leader, had been withdrawn from the bank more money than the House had. The sums in question were sometimes very high, and did not involve any interest or penalty. The cost of interest-free money was provided by taxpayers. One survey showed that 83% of adult citizens believed that these legislators had not by mistake but because they knew they could get away with it (New York Times, October 10, 1991).
These revelations about the U.S. Congress, caused an uproar, but were insignificant compared with the attitudes and practices of local legislators revealed by an investigation in Arizona. The video recordings filmed hidden by the police, show a remarkably honest legislators regarding their attitudes about life and ethics. Sen. Carolyn Walter said: " I like the good life, and I'm trying to put myself in order to bring good life and have more money ." While extending his hand to accept a bribe of $ 25,000 added: "We all have our price ." State Representative Bobby Raymond was even more blunt: "No matter this world that I care a damn ". My favorite line is " And I care " (New York Times, February 11, 1991).
Obviously, the American political model is not in Weberian terms, a model type to follow. says it Max Weber in his book 'The Political and Scientific' , "American politician is a political entrepreneur who seeks power as a means to get money (...) does not mind being despised as socially and politically professional profession. " Confirms this claim, the study by J. NYE in Article Corruption and Political Development , published in the American Political Science Review . According NYE, there are many American politicians who have no morals or camouflage their true intentions to enter politics.
But not only Americans suffer from the corruption of its politicians. In the Americas, Venezuela, Carlos Andres Perez, was convicted of political corruption by the Supreme Court, in Colombia, Ernesto Samper was discovered to have received drug money to his campaign, in Brazil, Collor de Melo had woven a web of political corruption, and in Nicaragua, Arnoldo Aleman, has been charged with illegal transfers of public funds, to the detriment of the Nicaraguan state.
In Europe, Germany, Helmut Kohl was found guilty of wrongdoing made in the financing of his party and recently in Spain, several English politicians, who exercised mayors, are being prosecuted for illicit enrichment, bribery and money laundering. It is clear that morality of certain politicians do not exist.
course, that the factor of political corruption, the entrance to the policy of "political chameleon", is that for many years has been destabilizing democracy. In developing countries continued, the "political chameleon" ever increasing and there are no filters to avoid them. The double standard, bribery, influence peddling international policy, grants of monopolies camouflaged the business lobbies corrupt, not only enrich those "political chameleon" but cause a great delay, detrimental to economic development, social and political development of a community that aims to evolve under a democratic system.
If we want a strong democracy, with continuity over time, generating mutual benefits, we must not only make a wise choice of a "professional politician virtuous, but require that Politicians want to be prepared, have a background in Political Science and Public Ethics. And it can no longer tolerate the presence of politicians with the "moral chameleon."
In Spain, for example, there is a generation of politicians from the PP and PSOE, openly practiced "the moral chameleon" for several years. And they do it for two reasons. One to continue in public, distorting the purpose of being a public servant, serving the interests of the people or society. And two, to achieve their personal interests without regard for the common good let alone the national targets . Thus we have seen the sale of votes, changing the game, revenge, harassment, illegal agreements, and all the rigging that carries the attitude of a political chameleon with no morals.
Such politicians have rightly despised by the people. For now, the English people have no means to neutralize those politicians. For many young English people, politicians are "hunters of public officials" who do not deserve any respect.
seems that the political solution to the moral chameleon, is to identify hidden defects in the structures of political parties. They are showing hidden inefficiency, authoritarianism, cronyism, lack of preparation.
In my view, what has most contributed to the estrangement, the composure and the rejection of political parties is the existence of an addiction to political power of one group of people or extended families.
We excluded chameleons, those addicted to power.
* Lawyer. Doctor Law and researcher. © 2011.
