THE SLEAZY FACTS OF LIFE

The news of Walmart's involvement in bribes to key political officials in Mexico created quite a stir. I am no fan of Walmart, as I think their predatory actions against small retailers has had tragic consequences for American retailing in eliminating or marginalizing small stores. But, in the case of bribery in Mexico, all I can say, "So what else is new?"

I don't like it morally but accept that it is a reality in the world of international business: in a lot of the world, if you are going to crack international markets, greasing the palm has become accepted practice. So long as governments look the other way or tacitly approve such dealings, bribery will be an accepted practice in many places. To change such practices will take a radical reeducation process in morality and strict punishment for the guilty. You will be fighting a long-established tradition of bribery all around the world---and I don't think this reeducation will ensue easily or quickly.

I remember about thirty-odd years ago that one of my major buyers in a large chain store operation was caught "on the take" when a group of suppliers complained to his boss about his greedy actions. Fortunately, I never had this problem with him because his boss had been an old friend and former buyer that my family knew well so that this tainted buyer thought it wise to desist from hitting me up. I think there is less bribery here in America, but the disease still exists and flourishes in certain industries and situations.

Greed is considered one of the seven sins, and it continues to be a problem for many. It is a sleazy fact of life that we must try to combat, wherever possible,but it is always there,lurking in the background.