We have argued previously that Western democracies, of which New Zealand is one, are institutionally corrupt. They exist by means of a tacit and frequently overt practice of bribery. The fact that it takes place all the time, and is part of the warp and woof of public and national life does not make it any less destructive, evil or corrupt.
Politicians bribe electorates and citizens by offering them money in exchange for their electoral support. Voters, for their part, effectively sell their votes and allegiance to politicians which offer them the best financial deal. Now, of course, if a politician were to walk into the local pub and promise he would mail a $50 bill to everyone who voted for him, he would be committing a crime. He would be guilty of corrupt practice. If, however, that same politician promised the same pub crowd that he would give them a new $50 welfare grant through something like "Working For Families" no-one would turn a hair.
Try to explain why the one action is corrupt and criminal and the other is not. Oh, yes, we know. The second example is not considered a corrupt practice because it is a bribe to everyone, not just those in the pub. The more expansive and inclusive and massive the bribery is, the less it is deemed to be criminal and corrupt. The lesson is that if one is going to act corruptly it is best to do it on a grand and massive scale.
Fran O'Sullivan has exposed how corruption runs deep within the halls and corridors of government. But this time, folk are likely to get a little bit upset about it because the bribery is too limited. It turns out that the Maori Party has both solicited and accepted a bribe from the government to buy their initial support for the reckless Emissions Trading Scheme. But in order to support it all the way into law, they will need more money. It's called taking care of business, in this case, whanau. It's criminal when the Mafia do it. And for the Prime Minister and National--it's all just a bit of "fragrant grease", as the Chinese say.
Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia are proving to be politicians of principle who know which side their toast is buttered on.
The Maori Party co-leaders' opposition to the emissions trading scheme fell the moment National's negotiators promised some sweeteners.
They have secured free insulation packages for houses in areas where low-income Maori live.
But what does that particular promise tell you about New Zealand today if the National-Maori party initiative is not also made available to all other Kiwis at a similar income level, regardless of ethnicity or colour on a pro rata basis.
What really stinks is the fact that Sharples and Turia are now in secret negotiations with National over the extent to which Maori - as opposed to those of all New Zealanders - will be able to protect the future value of their assets from being eroded through major Government policy changes.
Ironically, the Maori Party had opposed changing the present Labour ETS in any way unless polluters were made to pay big money for their crimes against humanity. That was until there was money on the table. Clearly this is corruption any which way you look at it. The fact that the whole country is not up in arms over this is only due to the fact that it is the kind of corruption we have grown used to over the past one hundred years.
The Chinese do not see "fragrant grease" as a corrupt practice. It is simply the way life is. Putting cash into the palm of the official/policeman/judge/politician to get things done is universal and accepted. It is now the norm here as well in government circles.
Not a few have warned that Emissions Trading Schemes will open up the door to all kinds of shams, scams, rip-offs, and theft. We believe these warnings are not histrionic. It has already started in the highest reaches of government. John Key, Nick Smith, Tariana Turia and Peter Sharples are calling down curses upon us all.
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