What a pleasure to read Saturday’s Tribune front-page article regarding the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh. An excellent choice, Yunus’ microcredit program goes a long way toward addressing human potential, providing a concrete step to breaking out of poverty while treating others with respect and dignity. His program, which has helped 6 million entrepreneurs begin their path to freedom and personal growth, is a shining example of good values equals good business. It stands in stark contrast to politics and business as usual in the United States, generally summed up as, “Where’s mine?” The culture of corruption and misuse of American taxpayers’ dollars has resulted in politicians bought and paid for by corporate interests, corporate fraud at unprecedented levels, and the awarding of multibillion, no-bid contracts at taxpayers’ expense to a few, select companies.
Our culture worships material success and the relentless, and oftentimes illegal, pursuit of the almighty dollar. Maybe our politicians and overpaid CEOs can take a lesson from Yunus and realize that one person has the power to change the world, for the better.
