Yatsuba’s outburst gives insight into the mindset of Ukraine’s officials, who have repeatedly shown they believe themselves to be above what they see as the riff-raff. They are the untouchables to whom the law does not apply, in the literal sense for parliamentary deputies. The rules aren’t for them – whether those are rules of the road or the unwritten rules of common courtesy.
Don’t get in their way, or you will be sworn at – or worse.
They drive Mercedes with tinted windows to obscure who is inside (which should be illegal). They may hesitate to run you over at the crossing – but only because it could make them late or dent their precious fenders. They are the kings who regard everyone else as slaves.
If the untouchables don’t respect Ukrainians, then how do they serve them? If they think Ukrainians are “bitches,” do they really have enough conscience not to steal from these people?
Yanukovych says he wants to take Ukraine toward Europe. But Europe doesn’t just exist on paper, or in institutions, or laws. Europe is in the mind. Europe is the please and the thank you. Europe is the waiting patiently for others. Europe is the sorry for my mistake.
Who can forget former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s groveling apologies when he insulted a constituent with his microphone still turned on? Yes, he was concerned about his ratings, but that’s because society demands respect, and he knows he is accountable for his words and actions.
Yanukovych can promise all the reforms he wants, but Ukraine won’t change until the country gets its biggest overhaul – of the mentality of the untouchables.
