A visit to the IRS office for information turned into a stark lesson in public service attitudes. Upon arrival, I was asked to wait outside. After a few minutes, a security guard read disclosures about entering a federal facility, prohibiting guns, drugs, and similar items. Inside, the customer support agent greeted me coldly, and the entire team's behavior was borderline rude.
Customer Service Contrast: Public vs. Private Sector
Observing this, I reflected on how differently I would be treated in a store where I spend money. A line from the movie Pretty Woman came to mind: Richard Gere tells Julia Roberts, "Stores are never nice to people; they are nice to credit cards." Yet, the IRS is a public office funded by taxpayer money, and its employees are servants of the people. In contrast, employees at a Verizon store, not paid with tax money, are typically very nice to customers. This suggests people respond more favorably to money than to a job description where no sale is required and mere duty must be performed.
FIFA World Cup: Perceptions of Corruption
The FIFA World Cup is ongoing, and its image is marred by extreme corruption. Many perceive that FIFA bends rules to favor Argentina and Lionel Messi. This is no longer a matter of opinion; people see through the noise. Rules appear flexible, especially after President Trump took pride in reversing a red card decision by the FIFA president. Faith in FIFA's impartiality has eroded completely.
Allegations of Bias: Messi vs. Ronaldo
Some allege FIFA supports Messi because both are sponsored by a famous brand. Others, including myself, believe Cristiano Ronaldo is being punished for removing bottles of an American beverage company from camera view during an interview, advising people to drink water instead. That action caused the company to lose about $4 billion in stock value. Messi also kissed the wall in Israel, and Argentina is a pro-Israel country. The beverage company and Israel have strong lobbies in the United States protecting their interests. It is not a conspiracy theory to suggest these lobbies worked behind the scenes to undermine Ronaldo and support Messi. Notably, Israel prevented Michael Jackson from recording a song supporting Palestine.
Money and Power Undermining Institutions
Whichever opinion is correct, it revolves around money. FIFA responds to money, not football fans. This obviously corrupt organization, influenced by money, power, and Trump, has caused people to lose faith not only in FIFA but in the role of public institutions to act justly and honestly.
Driving Habits: A Reflection of Accountability
Driving in Pakistan is chaotic—no rules, lane discipline, traffic signals, turn indicators, or stop signs. In America, drivers follow these practices not because they are civilized but because they know someone is watching and they will get a ticket for violations. Pakistanis drive like animals because they know nobody is watching. Once the realization occurs everywhere that nobody is watching and nobody cares, the world will become a jungle. The belief that government agencies follow rules prevents people from being at each other's throats.
Erosion of Democracy: A Broader Threat
This scenario helped me understand a concept from Noam Chomsky's book, where he discussed the erosion of democracy as a leading threat to humanity's survival. The loss of trust in institutions, as seen in the IRS and FIFA, is a symptom of this erosion.
