Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1241994
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 29 APRIL 2020 OPINION IT hurts when someone says that the word "ethics" does not match with the word "politicians." According to many they do not even merit to stand side by side. Sweeping statements like these should not even be uttered. Is it just to put everyone in the same bag? With the behaviour of some, the po- litical practice is dimmed effecting even those who are familiar with it. Because both in public and in private, the choices of the politician both in his words and deeds, must always be well reflected and considered as a good example. This is not only a legal duty, but also a moral duty. Above all, the politician is there to defend the dignity of every hu- man being. His duty is to push forward positions or values based on truths and common good… not only, but also be able to listen and deliver the change that the constit- uents and the people in general want to experience. However, this does not mean that a pol- itician should be considered as a clown or put in some round circle where he ac- cepts all the arrows being thrown at him by human beings who require something or just to thrash all their frustrations on him. To be honest, the behavior of some is tremendous. Some think that they have every right to command how the poli- tician acts and he in turn has to stay at their mercy at all costs especially at what they say and how they think. If you don't comply to their requests, you are listed in their big black book. I would rather stand for a whole week rather than kneel down my entire life. I cannot not mention all the wise men who left us very interesting documenta- tions regarding political ethics, on the importance of the virtue of justice. This is the essence of every politician. If a politician has not yet understood this, he must be in the political scene ei- ther for the sake of having a seat in Par- liament or for personal gain. The gift of wisdom is important to a politician, but he should stand out more where courage is involved, considerate in his words and even in his demeanor. Through ethics in politics, a wise man I mentioned earlier - Plato stands out - wanted to bring about a practical government where justice could be felt from miles away. Citizens automatically choose justice as compromise. But some only give the impression of being fair, when in fact they are unfair. They are so full of tension that it even shows on their facial expressions, afraid that one fine day they will get caught. We live in each other and with each other. Sometimes we get too close and set off sparks off like wires. Thus, we have always needed fair and good gov- ernance for the benefit of all. The politician is there to serve the cit- izen and not vice versa. Politicians are there to make people happy and create an environment of happiness. No bad deed remains in the dark. Our country needs proper role mod- els, far more than the choice the people make throughout all their life and I am not referring to a particular moment. Trust and respect, justice and love for the country are all vital for any society that embraces democracy and even oth- ers; wherever man lives. Because man is the recipient of pol- itics. Man is at the centre, if not, there is something wrong. Thus, tendencies of poverty, injustice with regards to differ- ent cuktures, selfishness in the protec- tion of the environment, dictatorship and unbridled populism start to spring up, and that means we could kiss good- bye the common good. Whoever is not morally correct, his place is not in politics. Maybe this is just a dream, but I sincerely hope that one absorbs the wisdom and implements all that our ancestors dreamed of! (With reference to Plato, Aristotle, and others, who dreamed of an ideal state.) Our country today also has a Commis- sioner for Standards in Public Life. It will be able to investigate the behaviour of parliamentarians, ministers and persons of trust appointed by them in ministries. When the first Commissioner Dr George Hyzler was appointed, the spokespersons of the main parties said that with this post the functioning of democracy is at its best, This is because the standards for people in public life are higher than normal. This post was therefore a step towards strengthening the country's institutions. On appointment day, the President (today Emeritus) Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca described this day as a historic one for our country. Preca had said that this post will give reassurance to the citizens and more accountability. This law is very strong because it empowers the Com- missioner for Standards to decide what tools and resources he needs. The search for power, can lead to abuse and injustice. The just politician can suffer and continue to fight like a frag- ile rose trying to spring out at all costs amidst solid rocks of violence, as the po- et Charles Peguy so aptly describes it. The just politician, who lives on a strange rock, can be sidelined almost by his own peers conveying the message that it's business as usual with or with- out him! Ivan Bartolo A flourishing rose amidst a solid rock of violence Ivan Bartolo is a Member of Parliament for the Nationalist Party Dr George Hyzler taking his oath of office as Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, as then president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca looks on The politician is there to serve the citizen and not vice versa. Politicians are there to make people happy and create an environment of happiness. No bad deed remains in the dark