MAKING THE WRONGS RIGHT
The Treasury Department of the United States maintains a “conscience fund,” in which it deposits money from people who suffer pangs of guilt over defrauding the government of some money. Nearly $400,000 was sent in in 1986 by Americans who felt they cheated Uncle Sam in some way. Most of the contributions are anonymous, but some of them are accompanied by a note of explanation. One particularly sensitive contributor said, “Please accept the money enclosed for two postage stamps I reused.” Another wrote, “This check for $1,300 is to make restitution for tools, leave days and other things I stole while I was in the Navy.” Another writer confessed to taking two metal office dividers and said, “I ask your forgiveness and say I am extremely sorry for this rotten act. May God and you forgive me!”
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