Fighting Corruption From The Top In Kabul

(CBS)  In a city where most government officials drive shiny new SUVs, politician Ramzan Bashardost's little car stands out, with a sign on the roof that says "I am not afraid of anyone."

Bashardost is a crusader against rampant corruption in Afghanistan. And that's made him the people's hero, CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reports.

"In Afghan Parliament, in Afghan justice, in Afghan court: we have corruption. The corruption becomes practically legal in Afghanistan," he said.

Outside a tent he's pitched in front of Parliament, Bashardost listens to peoples' complaints.

Fatah's brother, for example, is in jail, but he can't afford to bribe his way in for a visit.

Sometimes, a phone call from Bashardost - and the threat of exposure - will make a corrupt officials back off.

Most Afghan families survive on about $350 a year.

Surveys show that they pay almost a third of that in bribes. It starts at a place most people pass daily. At every road checkpoint, the police are on the take.

Families have to pay bribes to get their power switched on, or ID papers issued.

Wealthier people shell out thousands for government jobs.

One neighborhood in Kabul is nicknamed The City of Loot - and it stands as proof to Afghans that corruption reaches the highest levels of government. Many of the new mansions were built by public servants earning - at least officially - a few hundred dollars a month.

Public disgust is open - and growing.

As Bashardost's campaign shows, only a serious anti-corruption drive will restore people's faith in their government - and its American allies.

[oldpilot954]

Afganistan and USA are sounding more alike every day!!

[bobkat258]

Thank you Grandesign. My first thought EXACTLY!

[grandesign]

Gosh, I wish someone would take accountability for all the corruption in our American financial system. At what point do we say "they" are corrupt, as though we have the moral high ground. Also, their corruption is for smaller dollar amounts, while our corruption''s price tag will be in the range of $50 trillion, and puts a drag on the world''s economic recovery.

[neo269]

"Corruption" is an alien concept to these societies. "Bakshish" is what has run their world for a thousand years - and it''s not "corruption" in the western sense - it''s about power relations - more like a feudal tithe than a crime. It has to change, but it won''t happen overnight.