An Upright Political Leader Dies

The saying goes that nice guys finish last. People who act ethically,
especially in politics, are rarely remembered.<br>
<br>
But there are, occasionally, exceptions. One of them, former Argentine
president Raúl Alfonsín, died last week, and he is being
memorialized all over the world for his decency.<br>
<br>

Alfonsín was a failure as far as his country's economy went. He
started a truth commission regarding the thousands of "disappearances,"
but when this led to several coup attempts, he put a stop to it.<br>
<br>
What he is remembered for is bringing democracy to his country after
years of dictatorship. He was not corrupt. He did not pack the Supreme
Court with his buddies. He even resigned the presidency when
hyperinflation got out of hand.<br>
<br>
As a lawyer, he had defended political prisoners and founded the
Permanent Assembly for Human Rights.<br>
<br>
The U.K. <span>Guardian</span> finished
its obituary to Alfonsín, "When a traumatised nation most
desperately needed an upright head of state, Alfonsín proved to
be the most upright of men."<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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