True, buying influence is a world-wide form of corruption that existed in Lebanon for a long time. In the old days, many hungry politicians who needed funds to finance their election campaigns regularly took on their list one or more individuals who had the means and were looking for the prestige that comes with public office. If and when elected, the usually shy money providers always knew their limits and were careful not to expose their limited education and unfamiliarity with public affairs.

And true, under the Ottoman Sultanate, positions of local district administrators were openly sold; so were the positions of tax collectors. As long as the administrators (commonly known as Mkatajieh) remained absolutely loyal to the Sultanate and kept the money flowing, the Sultan could care less what they did within their districts to his subjects.

But with Mr. Rafik Al Hariri and members of his cabinet, the buck took on an entirely new role.

It is undeniable that, prior to his appointment as prime minister, Hariri was not a politician. He still is not one. He does not have political views of his own or a political program. First, foremost and last, Hariri is a tycoon who believes in the power of the buck and successfully applies it to achieve his business ends.

Many Lebanese believe he purchased his appointment as prime minister; that that he "buys" his aides; that he "bought' the ministries that he directly controls; that he "buys" foreign officials; and that he pays generous private salaries to a large number of key public officials and civil servants out of his own private money to insure their loyalty. Hariri has bought his own TV and radio stations and has secretly taken controlling interests in many other media including influential daily newspapers. He is keenly interested in real estate development and has purchased, and continues to purchase, vast areas of land all over Lebanon but never under his own name. He is known to use corporations in which his aides front for him together with their wives and relatives.

Hariri seems to take personal pleasure in demonstrating his vast wealth before the eyes of the Lebanese people, including the hungry majority, on every possible occasion. His pretty wife appears in state and public occasions wearing jewelry worth millions of dollars. His over dressed sister acts as his viceroy in his hometown of Sidon which he abandoned for the capital Beirut. He has not divested himself from his vast business empire which he continues to run and to personally occupy top executive positions in. He does not seem to be aware of the concept of conflict of interest.

Most of Hariri's cabinet members are no better; they come from similar backgrounds, and represent their own vast wealth and businesses.

The buck has never been more powerful in Lebanon. Its rank in power is unrivaled. The buck is the mortal enemy of good governance. Unless it is stopped, now, the Lebanese will never see a future of good governance.