Tuesday, June 09, 2009

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:23
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you have been trustworthy with a small amount, I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's joy!'
In a nutshell, the reason why the MPs' expenses scandal is so devastating to our political system is that character is a key issue in public life for the simple reason that we have to trust our representatives to make important decisions on our behalf.

If you can't rely on these thumb-on-the scales merchants not to cheat on their out-of-pockets, you certainly can't rely on them to decide about the future of our nuclear deterrent or the National Health Service.

Neither can you trust them not to misuse personal data to smear, sully and taint anyone (me and you included) who happens to get in their way, with the same malicious and cavalier vulgarity with which they plot against and undermine each other.

ID cards anyone?

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