Enough empty promises

ENAR

Their crimes must not be forgiven again. For 11 years, Lebanese politicians spent some $130 billion without an audit. To pass the 2017 budget, our lawmakers defied the constitution by promising the audit will come next year instead of now. I’m not holding my breath. Let’s not lie to ourselves: Audits can be manipulated. We had a regular budgetary process throughout most of the 1990s, but everyone in this country still believes there was waste and theft during that period. That said, at least there were tangible results from the spending: a new airport, improved roads, telecom networks, etc. Since 2005, however, what has really changed? New traffic lights and parking meters? Where are our reliable supplies of electricity and water? An annual audit is like our state’s conscience reminding itself of the sins of the past year. By silencing our conscience, we’ve slid deeper into immorality. The likelihood that