When will Olmert realize it's time to go?

Ehud Olmert, witnessing the massive protests amassing against him, stuffed his bags with money and flew off to Kiriyat Shmona to distribute it.

He was sure that with his money and promises he would be able to mend the hearts of the country's northern citizens, but he was wrong. The Mayor and members of the Kiryat Shmona city councils didn’t accept his performance. The rich uncle from Jerusalem came to hand out candy to the kids, but in response, they explained that the country had abandoned them.

They attacked Olmert with all their might; they poured fire and brimstone on him and sent him home battered and bruised.

What's in store

This experience is an indication of what's in store for the prime minister in the near future. The protest is now out in the open, the soldiers have a bellyful, the pain of the fallen soldiers' families is enormous, and questions raised in the not too distant past pertaining to Olmert's role in the Likud central committee and government related corruption, are now surfacing.

The findings of the second war in Lebanon raises questions as to whether corrupt people are fit to run a country.

Suddenly the public is asking itself in whose hands did it place the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians. All of a sudden it is beginning to understand the state comptroller's warnings, that Israeli corruption poses an existential threat. All of a sudden people are beginning to realize that corruption is corruption is corruption, and that it will inevitably seep into the military as well.

The coin has finally dropped. But corruption is not just bribery and extortion, it is also inappropriate appointments to sensitive posts. There's not much difference between the two.

Corrupt people lack proper judgment

Corrupt people usually lack proper judgment and self confidence. They fear everything that moves. They surround themselves with "yes men," bestow power on them and distance themselves from talented and decent people. Anyone likely to embarrass the boss by refusing to carry out a meaningless or illegal order is kicked out. Eventually it seeps to the bottom of the pyramid.

This is the mode of conduct in the police force, in the Shin Bet and often in the military as well. In recent years it has been prevalent throughout the state's governing junctions: inexperienced, incapable persons – some of whom are actually connected to the world of crime – are assigned to positions where they are making fatal decisions.

Decisions pertaining to life and death

Decisions pertaining to life and death, war and peace, appointments of chief of staffs, deputy chiefs of staff, heads of intelligence, Shin Bet, Mossad and police commissioners are all under their control – the fate of an entire nation is in the hands of persons whose integrity cannot be relied upon.

A prime minister who decided to place the defense ministry portfolio in the hands of Amir Peretz instead of giving him the finance portfolio; who several years ago appointed a known criminal to head his election headquarters in the Gush Dan area; who signed a fraudulent Likud report to the state comptroller and who met privately with people of the ilk of alleged fugitive Arkady Gaidamak – is a man with faulty integrity

No one to rely on

Relying on the judgment of the prime minister and Peretz was made even more problematic after they insisted on continuing the war after the UN resolution was reached, which resulted in the loss of 34 soldier's lives.

It's also hard to depend on the finance minister's judgment, the "threatened" "pursued" and frightened man, who forgot to transfer his complaint to the attorney general.

It's hard to depend on Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Tzahi Hanegbi, who is facing charges of serial fraud and election bribery; nor on outgoing Justice Minister Haim Ramon, who allegedly kissed 20 year old soldier and in his defense says she initiated the contact and forcefully tried to kiss him – this is not a man of integrity. Should this man send soldiers to war? Should he represent the face of the High Court of Justice?

Included in this list is: Ronny Bar-on who relinquished the post of attorney general after the story of his gambling background in London became public; Kadima party whip Avigdor Yitzhaki suspected of fraud worth millions of dollars and the president who is busy finding an escape route from some of his own questionable actions.

When our people look upon these dear friends, it realizes that its country is about to go.

A responsible prime minister's, first concern should be the good of the country and not just his seat. He must take action and should submit his resignation to the president. On his way, he should drag the rest of the disgraced heroes with him. They should all return the keys, even if it's just to spare us a commission of inquiry.