We are seeing he natural death of democracy, not a phenomena caused by any planned or unusual factor or factors. Once a broad segment of the public finds that it can get more than its rightful share by legally looting the treasury and politicians realize that they can acquire votes while fulfilling those demands each becomes more greedy and democracy gradually dies.

It should be obvious to anyone that friendship cannot be bought - either by the wealthy man's donations to charity - or by a government's foreign aid program. On the other hand respect can be achieved by the wealthy man who is a good citizen and likewise by the wealthy nation.

James P. Wesberry, a past president of the Institute of Internal Auditors, recently suggested that changes in American culture have undermined the concept of accountability and have "eliminated shame for the act of dishonesty. We have substituted explanations which transfer the blame to others-or to no one." The result, according to Wesberry, is that the present generation of auditors "will have to audit the unashamed-those who have no fear of doing wrong, who have no regret for taking more than they deserve, who feel regret only if they have the 'bad luck' to be found out" --- Wesberry, James P., 1989. "The Pursuit of Professionalism." Internal Auditor (April), pp. 25-26. Quoted in The Activist Auditor: A New Player in State and Local Politics, Public Administration Review * September/October 1991, Vol. 51, No. 5

Politics is an expensive business and the poor man who wants to remain honest may not have the opportunity to stay in politics for very long.