Corruption and abuse of power among politicians in the U.S is risking the values of the nation and eroding the trust of its citizens. Penalizing and applying justice should never be based on the weight of the power or position the person carries. But this is not the always the case in the nation today, and has been proven locally by the fact that former Roanoke City Council Robert Jeffery was granted a bond by the judge just a few months after being indicted and jailed for embezzlement.
There is no argument about Mr. Jeffery’s conviction but looking across the nation we realize that often those who have political power are often protected to avoid justice for their committed crimes and corruption.
Hunter Biden is perhaps the clearest present-day national example of someone who through his father, Joe Biden, has been involved in many overseas financial deals which led to millions of dollars in his personal gain. Now, Joe Biden is clearly using his political power to cover up the scandalous conduct and the many unlawful acts. Those with less political power, however, are easily taken down and prosecuted.
It is obvious that many obstacles are currently built into the system to halt justice from pursuing the big guys. It is not difficult to learn how many politicians and elected officials on the national level ascended to a higher economical class through their power. Mr. Jeffery is only one a single drop in an ocean of corruption and exploitation.
A great nation evolves with great leaders and great leaders are elected by people. It is time for Americans to rethink about the leaders they choose on both the national and local level and remember the wisdom of Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rules, the people groan.”
In my view, what the citizens of Roanoke most need to do is break the chains of a liberal mentality and change the ruling government in Roanoke City in order to give an opportunity for a new group to lead. We need new leaders who have open minds and who are willing to listen to the people and make fair decisions based on people’s needs.
Clearly, the elected officials presently in Roanoke have become an elite which is governing the City based on their interests. It has not been forgotten how the City Council last spring chose Democrat Anita Price among an overall 16 applicants to fill the vacant seat of Robert Jeffery after he pleaded no contest to embezzlement charges. The suggestions of the citizens were totally disregarded and the Council put politics ahead of people in the selection process.
In a free country like America, people have more access to discover the truth and falsehood about their leaders and elected officials, their integrity and rectitude. Therefore, regardless of the political power of a person, the corruption must not be tolerated, and justice must be equally applied to all.
– Serwan Zangana supported Operation Iraqi Freedom as a U.S army translator before coming to the U.S from Kurdistan, Iraq in 1997 to seek political asylum. He was granted asylum status and years later proudly became a U.S citizen. He currently serves as a correction officer in Roanoke.