Will the Corruption of Public Office Ever End?

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

It has been disclosed that local governments, including the Osaka City Hall, have been paying unlawful benefits to their personnel. In addition to their receiving higher on-average salaries than private company staff, City Hall staff had been offered various benefits such as uniform allowances for their suits, an allowance for unpleasant work - ie. dealing with citizens - , a singles allowance paid to singles over a certain age, and a transportation allowance for walking commuters. This means they have intentionally embezzled public money. Hiragana Times CIA spoke in depth about this issue with Dr. Raymond HAWK, director of the American Organization Science Institute, who recently wrote a book "Human Nature and Office Workers."

CIA: What is written in your book "Human Nature and Office Workers"?

Dr.: In short, it is a book which proves that, fundamentally, human beings have an ugly nature and it becomes particularly visible in people in public office where there is no competition. Look at socialist countries - officials do as they like because they have power. The nature of public offices in capitalist countries is the same. Injustice is spread around the world as a matter of course when no competition or inspections are practiced.

CIA: Well then, is it impossible to stop such crimes?

Dr.: It is easily possible if you adopt the theory of American capitalism. In America, companies are for the stockholders and the CEOs main job is to benefit stockholders. In the U.S., even CEOs who cut salaries and slash the number of employees are highly reputed. The more profit that is made, the more CEOs are rewarded. Let's take a city as an example. Stockholders are citizens and the CEO is mayor. If you pay a huge bonus to a mayor who reduces taxes for citizens, the mayor will seriously try to cut unnecessary costs.

CIA: What kind of cost cutting can he do?

Dr.: Many local governments are in financial difficulty which has resulted from their wasteful spending practices. Among these, the expensive payments to personnel including various allowances are the worst. Their salaries are paid from citizens' taxes. In other words, citizens are paying the living costs of City Hall staff. In English, public office employees are called "civil servants," who should basically be volunteer-minded. Many will be happy to have the opportunity to work in these kinds of positions even if the salary is half of what it is at present. If retired people are employed, it will also ease the pension issue in Japan.

CIA: What is the next step?

Dr.: As most private companies in the red sell their head office or factories, City Halls should sell their offices, many of which are plushly designed and built in very expensive areas. They will be able to fetch a high price. Fancy buildings are not necessary for their work. In addition, City Hall staff are hired to provide services to citizens, but in fact these same offices are closed in the evenings and on weekends and national holidays, times that citizens find are the most convenient to visit. On the contrary, working in fancy buildings in the best locations has misled staff into believing that they are elite and stand over citizens. They take it as a matter of course that they should receive high salaries and special treatment. Selling these offices won't affect citizens at all. Schools which are currently not being used due to Japan's shrinking birthrate should be used instead for their offices.

CIA: What size bonus should be paid to the mayor?

Dr.: Well, for those who produce excellent results, at least one billion yen should be paid.

CIA: Why pay such big money?

Dr.: They will become a political star. So, one billion yen is inexpensive. If not, they will go for bribery someday anyway.

Comment from CIA
You are probably upset about the injustices of local governments, but what would you do if a member of your family had an opportunity to work at a local government office? You would not oppose it, as a high salary and a steady future are guaranteed, right? Then you wouldn't expect any change, would you? People's sense of justice quickly disappears when they have a chance to receive benefits. In this way, human society will continue harboring injustice, unless we leave it to the greedy mayor who can fire their personnel for his money.

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

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