Moral compass

I strongly second Dov Lipman’s implicit observation that even little gifts carry potential for corruption (“Israel should not forget its moral compass,” Observations, January 27).

I had occasion to observe this dynamic firsthand years ago when, as a contracting officer for the US Defense Department, a certain vendor responded to a purchase requisition for three screws by giving them to me gratis. This was and is perfectly legal, and it is not uncommon for vendors to supply items at no cost to the government in order to receive solicitations in future procurements.

I followed the procedures, which included, inter alia, a letter to the vendor making clear that there could be no expectation of any quid pro quo. The vendor told me that if ever I found myself in the neighborhood, I was welcome to “stop by.”

It turns out he had already bribed many procurement people, including my own supervisor. He was convicted and sentenced. Likewise for those he bribed – each had taken the bait and made that visit to his premises, where they were offered personal items and favors of even greater value than those given to the government.

I moved on to bigger and better things (including aliya) with my reputation intact.

The dynamic of bribery begins small and works its way up to larger things, because once the line of legality is been crossed, each person involved effectively owns the other through the threat of exposure and can dictate increasingly greater transgressions. Regardless of one’s political leanings, the fact that the Netanyahus are at the level of expensive cigars and champagne should be a matter of concern. KALMAN H. RYESKY Petah Tikva