Selfish leaders create many problems that affect citizens. Making reference to John Lara’s The Samaritan, write an essay to support this statement.
In John Lara's "The Samaritan," the portrayal of selfish leaders such as Mayor Mossi, Ramdaye, Ted King, Seymour, Bembe, and Jaden vividly illustrates how their self-serving actions create the problems faced by citizens in Maracas Municipality. These leaders prioritize their personal interests over the well-being of the populace, leading many issues ranging from corruption to the breakdown of essential services.
Firstly, Mayor Mossi's selfishness manifests in various forms, notably in his reluctance to support innovative initiatives like the Samaritan app, solely to protect his own reputation and interests. Mossi's misuse of power, including threatening and attempting to bribe individuals to manipulate information on the app, reflects his disregard for the public good. Consequently, corruption, inadequate municipal works, and a culture of fear pervade the municipality, directly impacting the citizens' quality of life.
Similarly, Ramdaye, as the deputy mayor, leverages his position for personal gain, prioritizing nepotism and self-enrichment over the municipality's infrastructure needs. His involvement in fraudulent activities, such as selling fake title deeds and awarding contracts to his associates for substandard work, leads to deteriorating road conditions and financial losses for the municipality. These actions directly harm citizens who must contend with unsafe and inadequate infrastructure.
Ted King's selfish behavior exacerbates the healthcare crisis in Maracas, as he embezzles funds meant for essential services and awards contracts based on personal connections rather than merit. Consequently, hospitals face shortages of vital medications, and healthcare facilities suffer from neglect and mismanagement. The resulting decline in healthcare quality disproportionately affects vulnerable citizens who depend on these services for their well-being.
Seymour, responsible for planning and development, similarly exploits his position for personal gain, engaging in corrupt practices such as billing for nonexistent services and misappropriating public funds. His involvement in criminal activities, including gang violence and drug trafficking, not only undermines public trust but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and insecurity that plagues the municipality.
Moreover, Bembe's abuse of power as the Inspector General of police exacerbates the citizens' plight, as he prioritizes corruption and violence over upholding the rule of law. His involvement in criminal enterprises, including extortion and gang violence, erodes public confidence in law enforcement and exacerbates social unrest.
Finally, Justice Jaden's self-serving actions undermine the integrity of the judicial system, as he prioritizes personal interests and financial gain over dispensing justice fairly. His involvement in corrupt practices, including favoritism and bribery, perpetuates a culture of impunity and inequality that deprives citizens of their rights and undermines the rule of law.
In conclusion, the selfish actions of leaders like Mossi, Ramdaye, Ted King, Seymour, Bembe, and Jaden have profound and far-reaching consequences for the citizens of Maracas Municipality. By prioritizing personal gain over the public good, these leaders perpetuate corruption, undermine essential services, and erode public trust in governance institutions.