By Roberto Abdenur

We have frequently warned about the serious problem of corruption in the country. Only news about scandals involving characters from all sectors is multiplying. Attitudes and actions that are notable for their lack of ethics also multiply.

Misuse of funds, nepotism, favoring, prevarication, evasion, forgery and smuggling. These words surround the news about Brazilian society in all its spheres.

The issue has reached such a level that it causes the population to lose confidence in most of the people who may be representatives of society on one stage or another. Skepticism spreads with the same speed as the unethical actions of those who are chosen to defend the interests of society as a whole.

We tend, therefore, to generalize the situation and to convince ourselves that nobody deserves our trust, because everyone, sooner or later, ends up filling up. This feeling, however, must be rejected immediately.

The story of the consumer who went to the bakery on the corner of his home every morning to buy bread is a simple but significant example. Accompanied by a friend, on one of those mornings, he surprised the latter with his calmness, when he was practically abused by the clerk. "How do you accept being treated like that and still treat him well?" The answer was quick: “It is not because he is rude that I will be too. I am well educated and that is what I care about. ”

It is not because an authority acts contrary to ethical principles that we are going to do that, too. On the contrary, we must show how much we reject this stance, doing what we can. There are people who get involved in causes, non-governmental organizations, groups and political parties. Others do not.

The important thing is to always act in line with ethics. For example, we should not purchase products without an invoice. It is the assurance that taxes on the product will be collected. It also serves as a guarantee of product quality for the consumer. If there is no invoice, the product may be the result of smuggling, counterfeiting and even theft.

Brazil is an example of avant-garde and pioneering in many of its laws. The Consumer Protection Code is an example. Why neglect the efforts of so many to develop this protection process and purchase products without a proven origin and without paying taxes? Does not make sense.

Whether the tax will go to its destination is another story. For this, the best way in a democracy is to choose carefully the representatives we are going to elect. The exercise of delegating power begins at school, when we choose class representatives or members of a committee. He continues at work, on the street, in the neighborhood, and finally gains the dimension of political representation.

With the argument of mistrust as to the correct application of taxes, many fail to pay taxes, or juggle questionable to reduce their value. This is also a mistake, because it can have personal consequences: tax evasion is a tax crime.

The Brazilian tax burden is one of the highest in the world. Approximately 40% of GDP. Worse, the poorest pay proportionally more taxes than the richest. Despite this, we must pay our taxes, delegate to our representatives the role of modernizing the tax system and inspecting whether they are doing so.

Again, it is not because someone else is doing wrong that we are going to do it too. Every time we act ethically in the particular we will be influencing the general. If each one acts correctly, the whole will be the correct performance. It may take time, but we cannot think about the short term alone. This will be the legacy for our children and grandchildren. The legacy of transforming a country that was once poor and chaotic into a state with citizens respecting each other in all circumstances.

For any country, the worst crisis that exists is that of confidence. We cannot succumb to its destructive force. If we are convinced that nothing can be done, we cannot repair this country. Finally, we must have leaders who are courageous enough to show us the way. They exist. They do serious work and place the general interest far above the personal interest. These are the examples to be followed for Brazil to fulfill its destiny.