Editorial 15: Change of habits and social breakdown
“Let’s have tolerance zero with…” or “we need further requirements for…” or ” according to your request of information. We do not understand that you pretend that…” or” there is no technical information attached neither the corresponding fee..”. All these sentences are at least disgusting for people who hear them.
It does not exist any justification so that those people, who work at service of citizens, can address to them in that way, as the citizens are the ones who pay their salaries through taxes, regardless the type of media they use to communicate or the person or company who they address to.
The compliance of the law is necessary, but it is also necessary that the action of the administration is fair, and it is indispensable that, those who use this terminology have some recognised moral authority by the interlocutor, and the speaker or writer request to the own administration to adjust strictly itself to the legislation of the country.
Demanding requirements to the administered and address to them in inappropriate manner, when at the same time the imposed conditions to the citizens are not being fulfilled, is really disgusting.
Changing the linguistic habits by expressions such as: “we will make our best effort at the service of citizens to avoid situations like…” or ” please collaborate with us to process with your documents…” or ” we would appreciate if you would clarify your statement in the following aspects…” or ” we will look for the annexed documents into our database and in case we do not find them we will request your help..”. All these expressions would denote a change of habit in the Public administrations if those who use them are coherent with their meaning.
The change of linguistic habits and its application, would benefit the transparency in the administration and consequently to everyone.
An administration that uses inappropriate terminology, does not inform to the citizen properly, omits part of the information, add vague expressions to protect themselves from responsibility or give impunity to its members, and try to confuse the citizens with legislation. All the mentioned above cause repugnance to the citizens and sooner or later it will cause a social breakdown. We have seen this situation in many countries lately and we will see it in more countries in the following months and years.
Farmers, livestock farmers and poultry farmers are, too frequently, victims of the bad habits of the administrations and consequently countries lose some basic productive tissues, becoming dependent on feed products from other countries. This is the first step to the increase of prices in basic diet, the impoverishment of the population, the closure of companies, the increase of unemployment and the economic and moral decadence of one country.