From the Senator's Desk . . .
June 28, 2007
In West Africa, ‘dash’ means ‘pay me.’ It’s corruption. When a guy in a uniform has an AK47, he gets some attention, especially when he’s had a few rounds of palm wine. Early in life I learned a lesson in fighting corruption, we must act, all of us. When old-timers say—‘it’s always been that way’, then we need to say ‘it’s time to change’.
Written by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, www.shapleigh.org
“Dash Me Now”
A few years ago, I was a Peace Corp Volunteer in West Africa stationed in a village in Koinadugu Province, Sierra Leone. On the way to Kabala, the district capitol, every so often a gang of guys with AK47’s would stop us at the crossroads.
“Dash me now”, they said.
In West Africa, ‘dash’ means ‘pay me.’ It’s corruption. When a guy in a uniform has an AK47, he gets some attention, especially when he’s had a few rounds of palm wine. Two leones—ten leones. Whatever is in your pocket comes out.
Corruption is killing Africa. Everyone from Bono to Wolfowitz calls it the chief challenge to the future of the continent. Road money goes to build palaces. School money goes to Presidential galas. Famine relief funds go to pay the ‘janjaweed.’
Early in life I learned a lesson in fighting corruption, we must act, all of us. When oldtimers say—‘it’s always been that way’, then we need to say ‘it’s time to change’.
Yesterday, a friend of mine compared corruption to a fire. “When it starts in your home, you have no choice.” He’s right. We need to put it out.
So, what do we do? Soon, community leaders will ask a Citizen’s Commission to investigate best practices all across America. What does New York City do about public contracts? What did Seattle do to create a strong ethics Board? We will create a Citizen’s hotline so you can call law enforcement and report misconduct on a contract or a corrupt practice. We will ask business to develop a businessman’s pledge—so strong competition drives business, not the biggest bribe.
Most of all, we will ask everyone to educate themselves on good candidates, then go vote---or better yet, run yourself.
Together, we can take back our town!
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