Stealing to give to the poor. Is it right?

[Fiatless]

I have a friend who was elected into a political office. Before he was elected he was well known for his uprightness and integrity. Now, his new office is filled with corruption in the form of looting of government funds. He told me that when the allocation from the central government comes, the chairman of the local government will call them and give them a large amount for their upkeep. But they still receive their monthly salary and allowance.

He is well aware that the allocation was for the development of the local government, but he is forced to take it since almost all the elected officers are collecting it. The first time he rejected the money, he received a threat that he would be impeached or violently attacked. This is because his colleagues are scared that he might reveal the corruption that is going on in the local government.

My friend decided to set up a foundation that gives scholarships and builds schools. With the illegal funds, he usually receives every month, he has been able to finance the education of many poor students in his ward and has also built and refurbished a few schools.

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

[Hewlet]

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

so in essence, when the law eventually catches up with them for the groose misappropriation of funds, he's going to give excuses that he uses his allotment for the establishment of local project in the community? And it's supposed to be understandable that he's trying to act like a good person in the midst while still benefiting from the faulty system? what he did is not different from what most politicians do. They take the allocation that's supposed to be used for the needs of the masses, embezzles the most of them and use just a slight fraction of it for some developmental projects so as to shut people out from complaining.

If everyone keeps quiet and refuse fighting against faulty systems, how will we experience positive change in our society?  If you're in a company of people who are involved in things that's contrary to what's right for you, don't try to paint yourself as the good egg in the place. Walk away and save your conscience and reputation from being associated with what's not right. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Doing something that's right to cover up for what's wrong doesn't make your wrong right.

[Fiatless]

If everyone keeps quiet and refuse fighting against faulty systems, how will we experience positive change in our society?  If you're in a company of people who are involved in things that's contrary to what's right for you, don't try to paint yourself as the good egg in the place. Walk away and save your conscience and reputation from being associated with what's not right. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Doing something that's right to cover up for what's wrong doesn't make your wrong right.

Great response. So you are suggesting that he resigns from his position and allow the political party to conduct a bye-election to replace him. This is because if there is a probe of the account of the local government, he would also be indicted since he benefitted from the system. Instead of staying inside a corrupt system and playing the victim, he should speak up and help clean the system from corruption. Thank you.

Note @Hewlet,  I am not a politician and don't have any intention of joining because I love my peace and freedom. I just narrated what a friend does and claims it is right. So I am not the protagonist. I am just seeking suggestions.

[Iranus]

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

so in essence, when the law eventually catches up with them for the groose misappropriation of funds, he's going to give excuses that he uses his allotment for the establishment of local project in the community? And it's supposed to be understandable that he's trying to act like a good person in the midst while still benefiting from the faulty system? what he did is not different from what most politicians do. They take the allocation that's supposed to be used for the needs of the masses, embezzles the most of them and use just a slight fraction of it for some developmental projects so as to shut people out from complaining.

If everyone keeps quiet and refuse fighting against faulty systems, how will we experience positive change in our society?  If you're in a company of people who are involved in things that's contrary to what's right for you, don't try to paint yourself as the good egg in the place. Walk away and save your conscience and reputation from being associated with what's not right. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Doing something that's right to cover up for what's wrong doesn't make your wrong right.

What you said is not wrong, but if you were him, what would you do in that situation?

One thing is certain, if he stands up and exposes the hypocrisy of the rest, he will be removed from office or worse, he will be killed. Not only that, the safety of his family members is even threatened, or worse, ends tragically.

If you live in a country that values ​​human rights like the United States, you will likely be defended by the opposition party for your actions. But if you come from a third world country with a corrupt political system: either you quietly resign or you die if you don't adapt to them.

Politics is not as simple as you think, just stand up, expose and fight, you will be supported by everyone and become an icon. Once you enter politics, you either die or join the crowd.

In my country, many honest politicians suddenly died and their families disappeared overnight, those stories are still circulating among the people and that is why no politician dares to stand up for the people these days.

[Kelward]

Politics is a dirty game, I've heard a lot of stories about how people with intergrity will enter politics with good intentions to deliver good governance are blackmailed and threatened. Most times it's a case of "if you can't beat them you join them" for the new politicians who wanted to give the dividends of democracy to the electorates. Because most of the politicians are corrupt therefore they'll see any incorruptible politician as a threat to their looting and nonchalant attitudes towards their citizens.

But if good people in politics don't speak out against bad governance and instead joins them, then evil will still persist. Although the politician in the OP was diverting the loot to doing good, the greater good would've been to speak out against the diversion of their constituents allocations into the politicians pockets. Although the fear of being impeached and threats to his life can make him to become afraid that is why I said that politics is a dirty game and not for the chicken hearted. A better option to preserve his intergrity if he doesn't have what it takes to confront them would be to resign but I doubt that he can do that, he'll rather join them.

[Apocollapse]

What you said is not wrong, but if you were him, what would you do in that situation?

One thing is certain, if he stands up and exposes the hypocrisy of the rest, he will be removed from office or worse, he will be killed. Not only that, the safety of his family members is even threatened, or worse, ends tragically.

If you live in a country that values ​​human rights like the United States, you will likely be defended by the opposition party for your actions. But if you come from a third world country with a corrupt political system: either you quietly resign or you die if you don't adapt to them.

Politics is not as simple as you think, just stand up, expose and fight, you will be supported by everyone and become an icon. Once you enter politics, you either die or join the crowd.

In my country, many honest politicians suddenly died and their families disappeared overnight, those stories are still circulating among the people and that is why no politician dares to stand up for the people these days.

+1000000000000

There are so many bullshit in this world.

Most people only know how to judge other people, but if they were in such situation, they will swallow their own spits instead of doing what they said before. It's completely hard to fight against corruption from the root except you're the president.

If he live in North Korea, I really doubt he will dare to not vote Kim Jong Un in presidential elections.

[Jegileman]

I have a friend who was elected into a political office. Before he was elected he was well known for his uprightness and integrity. Now, his new office is filled with corruption in the form of looting of government funds. He told me that when the allocation from the central government comes, the chairman of the local government will call them and give them a large amount for their upkeep. But they still receive their monthly salary and allowance.

This is common in almost all the political systems. One beans spoil the rest they say but only few avoid being spoilt by the bad of others. This is similar everywhere and that’s how they operate. You either join them or they sideline you and plot against you in order not to see their activities and raise an alarm if been offered something and you rejected it. The corruption is from above and that’s how they split it down to the bottom for every political holder to benefit and keep their mouth shut.

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

I don’t see anything wrong in what he’s doing with the funds, at least he has channeled it to a good cause also. He could as well use the money for what it’s meant to but opening a foundation scholarship to help students is also a good thing. Sometimes if you can’t fight them or expose them, it is better you do the best you can do to help your people because it won’t worth causing you your life or any other thing.

[Myleschetty]

I have a friend who was elected into a political office. Before he was elected he was well known for his uprightness and integrity. Now, his new office is filled with corruption in the form of looting of government funds. He told me that when the allocation from the central government comes, the chairman of the local government will call them and give them a large amount for their upkeep. But they still receive their monthly salary and allowance.

He is well aware that the allocation was for the development of the local government, but he is forced to take it since almost all the elected officers are collecting it. The first time he rejected the money, he received a threat that he would be impeached or violently attacked. This is because his colleagues are scared that he might reveal the corruption that is going on in the local government.

My friend decided to set up a foundation that gives scholarships and builds schools. With the illegal funds, he usually receives every month, he has been able to finance the education of many poor students in his ward and has also built and refurbished a few schools.

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

I think your friend is a guy of integrity and uprightness; otherwise, he wouldn't have had to return the funds in an indirect manner to the local government's residents. If your someone friend had held every significant political post, the lives of all the impoverished people on the planet would have been better.
That being said, for future reference. I will suggest that your so-called friend preserve any documentation of the money he unlawfully obtained and the manner in which it was used, in order to shield himself from any potential legal action down the road.

[ajiz138]

Like the movie Robinhood, right?

I wouldn't be surprised to hear stories from your friends who are officials and indeed this has been widely practiced in the government. They want to be officials because there is money that can be embezzled very easily, so now see the level of corruption rising.

Actually there is nothing wrong with your friend, but it is still wrong if it is supposed to be for regional development then it is made into a school without permission from other superior officials?

Indeed, this is the politics of today, so I hate to see officials talking as if they are pro-people when they are only utilizing the budget.

[348Judah]

A right and positive thinking mind will not take the option of stealing all because he wanted to give to the poor, we can't afford to give what we don't have, and stealing is not the best and perfect means to give, because such giving is at the expense of others, we can't give what we don't have, giving is not by force, it is done because we have the understanding and the realization of what we have not to be meant for us alone, but we care in giving to others who are in need.

[Sexylizzy2813]

Politics has never been a game for the weak and is best to use your head like your friend did if not things might get messy for him and his family as well. The other top political guys who have been there before your friend knows all they need to do to keep the upcoming ones together so using that means to trap them is just the only way and is a must to take and shut the hell up.
If your friend is making use of the illegal funds to help the public is on him and the glory will definitely be on him because the citizens have no idea how or where the funds are coming from but all they know is they are gaining and the government are doing the right thing, to me I'd say your friend is doing absolutely well but at the same time he should still be careful because is not all his colleagues are happy with what he's doing.

[OgNasty]

Call me old fashioned but I don’t think stealing is right for any reason. You can make the argument that stealing to provide for the poor or desperate is justified, but it is never right. Rather, one could go out and work hard to provide for those who are less fortunate if they truly cared, rather than use someone else’s hard work without their consent.

[darkangel11]

If he live in North Korea, I really doubt he will dare to not vote Kim Jong Un in presidential elections.

He won't even dare to speak up in public. Remember what happened to people who did not cry at his father's funeral? Jail or labour camps.
IMO a man who chooses to take the money and tries to justify stealing by giving to the poor is still a crook. He wants to stay in office, be popular, make career, but he also wants to be able to say that hey, at least I gave something back! If he really wanted to be clean he should have resigned and exposed the corruption.

[Frankolala]

Stealing is stealing whether directly or indirectly. Also we should be bold to say and stand for Thebes truth at all time no matter the condition involved. I will not blame your friend if he is scared of his life and decided to accept the money given to him.

I think using the money for what he is doing is also good and it will go a long way because this money is what the local government chairman is supposed to use to develop his local government do giving scholarships to children in his neighborhood is like also using the money for its purpose since the local government chairman is not doing his job.

[o48o]

I have a friend who was elected into a political office. Before he was elected he was well known for his uprightness and integrity. Now, his new office is filled with corruption in the form of looting of government funds. He told me that when the allocation from the central government comes, the chairman of the local government will call them and give them a large amount for their upkeep. But they still receive their monthly salary and allowance.

He is well aware that the allocation was for the development of the local government, but he is forced to take it since almost all the elected officers are collecting it. The first time he rejected the money, he received a threat that he would be impeached or violently attacked. This is because his colleagues are scared that he might reveal the corruption that is going on in the local government.

My friend decided to set up a foundation that gives scholarships and builds schools. With the illegal funds, he usually receives every month, he has been able to finance the education of many poor students in his ward and has also built and refurbished a few schools.

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

Sounds like the problem lies so far deep in that country's corruption that standing against is can be dangerous. So what your friend can do is either stand against corruption and probably risk his life. That's technically right thing to do, but no one would judge him not to do it.

"Stealing" keeps the corruption running, but if he wouldn't do that, other immoral thieves would probably benefit from that. What we don't know if his decisions would make any difference. Using corruption for good in this case would be smartest way to be ethical, but there needs to be changes and that's going to be hard to pull off if people grow up to believe that you need to use corruption to do the job, as that's how the system works.

[BADecker]

"Thou shalt not steal." Exodus chapter 20.     

[Sexylizzy2813]

"Thou shalt not steal." Exodus chapter 20.     

This is a funny one, how I wish these guys running the political affairs can put this Bible verse in front of them whenever they're holding their meeting to share money that's suppose to be for the development of infrastructure and other things to help build the nation for the citizens to enjoy at least for ones. They do swear in these politicians with the Bible but after that the Bible doesn't mean anything to them and they still go ahead to eat from the poor. "Thou shalt not steal" should have been what they should be afraid of because is a commandment from the Lord Almighty but since they don't get punished immediately by God or even see God they had to ignore the whole scripture and act like they own the world with them having the final say.

[BADecker]

"Thou shalt not steal." Exodus chapter 20.     

This is a funny one, how I wish these guys running the political affairs can put this Bible verse in front of them whenever they're holding their meeting to share money that's suppose to be for the development of infrastructure and other things to help build the nation for the citizens to enjoy at least for ones. They do swear in these politicians with the Bible but after that the Bible doesn't mean anything to them and they still go ahead to eat from the poor. "Thou shalt not steal" should have been what they should be afraid of because is a commandment from the Lord Almighty but since they don't get punished immediately by God or even see God they had to ignore the whole scripture and act like they own the world with them having the final say.

The reason why it is not funny is, when God gets sufficiently fed up with their sinning, He just might destroy them. And we, who happen to be in the same general location, might be destroyed right along with them.

Consider that BRICS is gradually growing and adding countries to their program. I have read that there are something like 159 countries that are seriously considering joining BRICS. When this happens (if not before) The US financial system will collapse.

[Sexylizzy2813]

"Thou shalt not steal." Exodus chapter 20.     

This is a funny one, how I wish these guys running the political affairs can put this Bible verse in front of them whenever they're holding their meeting to share money that's suppose to be for the development of infrastructure and other things to help build the nation for the citizens to enjoy at least for ones. They do swear in these politicians with the Bible but after that the Bible doesn't mean anything to them and they still go ahead to eat from the poor. "Thou shalt not steal" should have been what they should be afraid of because is a commandment from the Lord Almighty but since they don't get punished immediately by God or even see God they had to ignore the whole scripture and act like they own the world with them having the final say.

The reason why it is not funny is, when God gets sufficiently fed up with their sinning, He just might destroy them. And we, who happen to be in the same general location, might be destroyed right along with them.

Consider that BRICS is gradually growing and adding countries to their program. I have read that there are something like 159 countries that are seriously considering joining BRICS. When this happens (if not before) The US financial system will collapse.

I don't think God would include we the poor masses except on the last day of judgement, the politicians have a way of doing things to favor them and if not God to give them the punishment they deserve I don't think man can because even if you throw them in prison is never enough for all the have been doing. For the BRICS, do you think it will change anything like stop politicians from stealing and sharing money that are meant for the development of the country? To me I don't see how it will help stop all these looting of funds by politicians.

[Reatim]

He knows that those funds he receives are illegal but he vowed not to use them for his personal needs. What is your opinion on this matter?

In the short-term, one can view it as good since he is not using it for personal gains but to help others however if you would look at the bigger picture, he is still part of the problem. He is still allowing illegal activities in his position and letting it perpetuate and spread. A lot of people tend to justify them allowing illegal activities in disguise that they do not participate in it themselves however them knowing is enough to say that it is illegal. If he really wants to make a difference, he will put a stop to all of this.