The Survival of Corruption, by Raimundo Prado.
The GRECO, a body under the Council of Europe, makes it clear that appointing seats on the Spanish General Council of the Judiciary fosters corruption
Etymologically, the word “corruption” means “breaking from within”. In all reality, it’s the mechanism cancer uses to alter the immune system. It attacks from within, using and manipulating codes learnt from good faith. It deceives the cells and destroys them. It becomes a wolf in sheep’s clothing and then wham! It’s all a mess. The tissues decompose, and the body will come to its end if the problem is not resolved fast enough. Early detection is essential. When faced with any symptom, we must act by seeking the services of professionals to avoid an outcome no one would like except those who are suicidal or existentialist philosophers.
In a public sense, corruption —the other cancer— is morally perverse. It destroys any type of co-existence, poisons social health, generates poverty at the same time as insane wealth for the invading and deceitful body. Only those who have no respect for others wish to be corrupt. He who wishes to benefit from collective work is corrupt as is he who seemingly obeys the rules yet takes advantage of them for his own benefit. In all reality, a corrupt person is a despicable human being. A poor person of inexistent moral scruple who will drown in their own filth in the end. Thus, it has been of collective agreement for centuries that fighting against corruption and punishing those who are corrupt as well as their methods is healthy and fosters the common good. Whoever suggests otherwise has the right to do so but must have very good arguments and examples in their life or they will fall with the rest of the team. No then, it would be ingenuous to think we are “pure”. We mustn’t forget or let down our guards. Where are we from? And where have we come from? The culture we acquire throughout childhood, the education passed on by our ancestors which is due to life’s circumstances, history and even the climate… these matters are a part of each individual man or woman (as is politically correct apparently). Thinking anything else would be the same as saying pigs fly.
Judges are used day after day, but don’t give votes. They’re only useful for industrial harmony, confidence, wealth, legal security and democratic health.
A few days ago I saw a film called An Italian in Norway. There must be no doubt that we Spaniards perfectly understand the message and the main character’s attitude. We know what he does and why he does it and we may even laugh despite knowing that in some way, he’s corrupt. We understand him and even feel for him as those of us in Spain have been “fed” on these tolerated and admissible practices. One of the mechanisms States use to prevent this evil is known as GRECO, a body created under the Council of Europe in 1999. It is not the time to explain how this group monitors its objectives. However, assuming we abide by its recommendations and that we’re Europeans, we must also assume that this body is useful in some way as if we are funding it in some way and then we don’t obey, the State is also wasting public funds and, therefore, acting corruptly. The various assessments conducted by the GRECO from the very beginning in relation to Spain have made it clear that, among other things, the appointment of judicial seats on the Spanish General Council of the Judiciary that has been done for some time now, is a practice that fosters corruption. But, whatever. It seems that the various governments in Spain are simply ignoring the issues around corruption. Like… Tough luck! We govern, we legislate and, therefore, we appoint whoever we wish. It couldn’t be otherwise. That’s why we’re the people’s representatives and manage all the funds. Not Greco, not Goya or even Zurbaranes. We’re as clever as a fox. All that talk about Europe and corruption is silly. You, the lower “powers”, shut up and issue rulings; that’s what you studied for. Not like us, who have been elected at the polls. What would you know about what’s best for the Spanish people? We are the ones who know who should be governing you all.
It is monotonous and tiring to observe how part of the majority of our representatives violate European directives which are very easily understood. And then fireworks when faced with public opinion… Good Lord, how tiring!!!
Who knows? Maybe those who don’t want to follow anticorruption advice to this end are in the right. Perhaps we, the judges, European institutions and even the very citizens who are questioning the appointment system are the wrong ones. Maybe the whole Europe thing is good for putting on a show, but, hey, they better not touch us, the illustrious patriotic representatives of a thousand-year-old civilisation that has survived almost everything. In all reality, judges aren’t worth much. Judges are used day after day, but don’t give votes. They’re only useful for industrial harmony, confidence, wealth, legal security and democratic health but that’s not much compared with early morning newspaper headlines.
El Greco suffered from stigmatism… Others suffer blindness.
The war against the disease has not ended despite the fact that some are sitting pretty hot up in their chairs watching how the body decomposes. Nonetheless, remember, there will always be somebody out there, or perhaps many, wishing to end the cancer. And if invasive techniques are then applied, no one can say they’ve been deceived.
***Raimundo Prado Bernabéu is the national spokesperson for the Francisco de Vitoria Judges Association.
Source: elpais.com
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