Corruption in South America: Real issue over in South America

[DarkTimes]

This seems to be a real issue over in South America, I mean yes corruption is everywhere but in this region in particular it seems to have gotten out of hand and apparently no one is doing anything about it.

It's sad really as the region does have the resources and people to create a wealthy and progressive region, but the government as well as the local authorities seem to be holding this down.

[flaco]

I think that part of the problem is that the people of this region are not ready for the change. If the people stand up to their leaders and demand that they change their behavior, I do believe that those leaders would stand up and actually commit the change that was needed to bring their countries in the right direction.

[MattChow]

Corruption, nowadays is really rampant, not just in the parts of South America but all over the world. People really have become very greedy and selfish for material wealth and the guise of getting luxuries lifestyles to the detriment of the less fortunate individuals. Poor people continue to become poorer, and would just suffer in silence for fear of their lives and their families' lives. That's why we can't blame some of those people who go to the mountains and take the law in their hands.

[Chris]

I think corruption on some level is a problem in any government, whether national or local - no matter where it is. I think the only difference is the size of the corruption, and how noticeable it is.

Also some forms of government cater to corruption and there is not much the people can really do about it - so it just leads to further corruption down the road.

[zowie]

Corruption is rampant in countries of south America. This is especially true in the cases of communist Cuba and Venezuela. Columbia is pretty much under the control of drug lords. Mexico governments only job is to help their citizens to illegally cross over to America make some money and sent a portion of their income home.

[Aleiah]

Its not only in South America that corruption is really apparent, it could be happening all around the globe. In some countries, the leaders have gone from discreet to blatantly showing their power to the less fortunate. Its really a huge problem now, probably only one percent among today's leaders are not powered up by greed and selfishness. That's why we can't actually blame some people also for taking the law into their hands, and sentenced those people they knew are doing illegal activities.

[blue-t]

The main problem with the corruption in south America is the system where rich people are the main priority. In their law system, the poor families can be charged so easily, but not with the rich family. Therefore, the government workers would prefer to do corruption in order to stay survived. And I think we can't blame them for that.

[BlueSword]

i agree with you blue-t, its because of corruption that there is unfair or unequal footing in the law. the poor are continually suffering while the rich gets richer because of some dirty means. it's not just in south america, i think, that corruption is rampant but also in different parts of the world. this is because some men just can't seem to have enough of what they currently have.

[jessika]

well indeed the story of beautiful and mesmerizing south America is sad. the rate of crime and corruption has steeply increased due to lack of control by government. people are scared of going to Latin American countries(most of the part) due to increased theft and burglary cases.

[seimens]

yes ,i too heard that corruption has been stepped even to south America. what a sad news.the corruption is spreading all over the world. this should discouraged and severe action should be implement to stop this.

[Kevin]

All of you just say the same thing, "There is corruption in South America. It should be stopped." That's fine, but do any of you know where the real corruption lies?

zowie, your bit about Cuba and Venezuela being communist does not surprise me, but should be corrected.
Cuba and Venezuela are democracies centered around socialism. A communist state/country has never existed, because that would be a contradiction.

I don't expect many to have an understanding of Cuba or Venezuela. I also don't claim to have all the answers, but there are some facts that need to be presented.

First, the Cuban revolution. Fidel Castro led a rebel group against the dictator Batista, who not only killed innocent civilians, but was backed by the US. Castro, of course, won, and was then made the leader of Cuba. Since then, there have been democratic elections, but not in the sense that the US has it.

You see, the US has an electoral college, where in most states, if a state has 1 vote more for one guy than the other, then the person voted for most gets all the votes of the state. That's why the one who wins the popular vote, doesn't always win the election. It's safe to say then, that a good portion of votes don't really count.
As well as our nifty election process, we also have 2 political parties, and only 2 parties. The democrats and republicans have made themselves a deal where 3rd party nominees really are just non-existent. As 'different' as these two parties are, they all do the same thing.

In Cuba, there's a system of democracy where people don't necessarily run for office. People are voted in based on popularity. People can step forward and kind of put themselves in a "I'm willing" state, but it's actually banned to make campaigns - that way, millions aren't spent on lies and slander campaigns.
The Communist Party of Cuba is the state political party, but that doesn't mean there aren't more parties - and it isn't a political party in the sense that United Statesians see it. The CPC isn't allowed to campaign either.

The reason people think Castro is a dictator is because of the defensive measure Cuba needs to take when it comes to being so close to the US.
The United States has been known to take down countless democracies in Latin America, often times by sneaking in a person to rally the people with lies and eventually 'win' an election. Once that person is in power, countless laws force that country into a servitude of the United States, granting the empire with all of its resources while the people either: A) take it, or B) stand up for themselves, and get killed. Cuba keeps a close eye on this type of behavior and will protect itself in case of an event like that happening. Sure, it is very stifling of 'freedom of speech', but one can't really say anything about that. The US does the very same thing. There are countless people who have spoke out against the empire and have gained popularity, only to be imprisoned or assassinated.

Venezuela does the same. Chavez needs to protect himself from another coup (like the one Bush supported in '02). Chavez makes sure that Venezuela doesn't become another slave state of the United States.

This is what Cuba and Venezuela does. They refuse to be eaten alive by the United States, so the US retaliates by labeling them communist, human right violators, and demons.

zowie, you named the two countries with the least corruption. Every other one plays ball with the United States, and people suffer - but not all the people. Of course, these countries need to have a pretty face, so there is select group of higher class citizens who get to be the front of the nation. Meanwhile, the gap between poor and rich grows just like it has in the US, and the most poverty stricken are forgotten.

This is what the US does. It tears down democracies, destroys governments, and implements a policy of "Do as I say, or else." This is where the corruption lies.

[Chico_no_frontiers]

Originally Posted by Kevin

All of you just say the same thing, .....where the corruption lies.

There has been a lot of truth spoken on this post. It is also true that Cuba and Venezuela have a high percentage of people living in poverty. Cuba itself has people living in pure misery while the tourists enjoy the riches of its island. Now in Peru we have a new president that has been elected who is believed to be a close friend of Chavez. I am watching every step he takes close this will be my first experience in a "communist" country if it ever becomes one. Lot of corruption here from our past leaders, which has led to the election of this gentleman named Ollanta Humala.