Norman 1

Elijah Norman

Mrs. Welch

English III- 5th Period

9 April 2019

Corrupt the Corrupted

Corruption is dishonest behavior especially by powerful people (such as government

officials or police officers) (Merriam-Webster). Corruption is a rampant drug of governments,

caused by the greed of people. It hurts, kills and weakens the world. It is something that needs

more action taken against it. The thing is that’s the hard part, is finding someone who has the

power to act against people in power. Corruption needs to be prevented. Luckily, there is action

being taken to prevent corruption.

Corruption is caused by greed. In an article by Jonathan Chait (NYMAG), Trump Is

Bullying the Media Into Falsely Exonerating Him of Russia Corruption, that discusses how

President Trump is using his resources to starve the media of proof of his involvement in corrupt

actions. Such as using William Barr’s position as attorney general to make it seem that the

Muller report cleared Trump of any corrupt actions. He did this by making a 4 page summary of

a 300 paged report that Muller created. Jonathan Chait states that “[The 4-page document’s]

language appears to define collusion in the narrowest sense, ruling out the possibility of

conspiracy through cutouts and intermediaries.” It clearly states that Barr used the simplest terms

to fake Trumps innocence. Why is Trump involved with Russia? Money. Trump has many

investments in Russia, and Russia has many investments in Trump. By having a foreign nation

involved in US president’s finances as well as being his partner, it could lead to corruption.
 Norman 2

Speaking of Russia, they are also going through a corruption scandal. A high member of the

Russian government and a key ally to the current prime minister (Dmitry Medvedev) was

arrested earlier in March. This happened after a different key figure was arrested during January.

One could say they are corrupt due to “their taste for the good life is rooted in the post-Soviet

system which often compensates public servants in non-transparent way.” (Bershidsky) This

shows that corruption is indeed greed. That people are only corrupt to gain.

Corruption is being prevented and actions are being taken. Such as the charge against a

former Chinese Interpol Head, who has been detained by the Chinese government. Also, Chinese

officials “asked ­Interpol to issue ‘red notices’ for the repatriation of people it says are corrupt

fugitives who should be brought home. (Fifield)” China’s president Xi Jinping is going on a

massive campaign against corruption, which is a huge gain for the fight against corruption. If

Xi’s repeals are taken, this could mean an end to Chinese corruption, maybe even and end to

other nations’ or company’s corruption. On the topic of other nations, South Africa is fighting

against corruption. UNTU (United National Transport Union) is acting against corrupt railroad

companies, such as the recent resignations of multiple corrupt collaborators. Sadly, even these

recent gains aren’t enough. UNTU has accused and provided evidence against “officials at the

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa” even though “none had been criminally charged to date”

(ANA) Luckily, UNTU is remaining vigilant against corruption. They recently said “It is of

utmost importance that those who allegedly benefited from money that was meant to improve

[South Africa] for everyone who lives in it, must be held accountable. They must be criminally

charged so that the law can take its course." (African News Agency). This showing that they will

not give up their fight against corruption. Even though the people have yet to be charged this

proves that corruption is preventable, but people must remain vigilant.

 Norman 3

Corruption can be prevented. People must realize that corruption is among them.

Corruption harms everyone. It causes nations to lack the abilities of protecting their citizens. It

can be stopped, as China and Russia have proved, but people must protect the nations they live

in. Such as with President Trump or South Africa. There is proof; people just need to act on it.

Society needs to stop corruption in its tracks. They have the ability to; they just need to nock the

arrow.
 Norman 4

Words Cited

Chait, Jonathan. “Trump Is Bullying the Media Into Falsely Exonerating Him of Russia Corruption.”

Intelligencer, Intelligencer, 25 Mar. 2019, www.nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/03/trump-bullies-

media-exonerating-russia-corruption-barr-mueller.html

Bershidsky, Leonid. “A Russian Arrest and the Battle to Succeed Putin.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 27

Mar. 2019, 8:04 AM CDT, www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-27/ex-minister-s-arrest-in-

russia-weakens-dmitry-medvedev

Sargent, Greg. “The Case against Trump's Corruption Will Continue to Build.” The Washington Post, WP

Company, 27 Mar. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/27/case-against-trumps-

corruption-will-continue-build/?utm_term=.ede68404f1eb

Fifield, Anna. “Former Interpol Boss Expelled from China's Communist Party amid Corruption Charges.”

The Washington Post, WP Company, 27 Mar. 2019,

www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/former-interpol-boss-expelled-from-chinas-communist-

party-amid-corruption-charges/2019/03/27/6aa2b77c-5079-11e9-af35-

1fb9615010d7_story.html?utm_term=.d7488f0ea25f

Reporter, ANA. “UNTU Wants Prosecutions against Those Implicated in Corruption.” IOL News, 27

Mar. 2019, www.iol.co.za/news/politics/untu-wants-prosecutions-against-those-implicated-in-corruption-

20109136