Government Ethics

When the ends justify the means government ethics is an anachronism. Classic abuses like corruption in office are difficult to ignore and are usually punished sooner or later. Sneaky bad behaviors like spreading propaganda and disinformation are subtle and do more damage because they are harder to spot and can influence millions.

Capitol Hill still hasn’t rid Washington of insider trading. Like term limits, that’s going to be a very difficult ethics rule to get everyone to agree to but at least it’s a conflict we know about.

Government ethics: the worst problems hide

The worst types of unethical behavior are the ones we don’t see coming. They undermine what America stands for and what we believe in. Examples are political rhetoric that distorts the truth, pandering to big money donors, and selecting special interests for legislative favoritism. All of these things point to how government ethics falls by the wayside when opportunity knocks.

The ethics of winning and losing

The rise and fall of Hillary Rodham Clinton and lingering anger among her supporters speaks volumes about America's ability to look the other way when confronted with ethical lapses.

With Donald Trump in charge ethics is about foreign interference in our government. Robert Mueller took the first head with the Manafort indictment. Now we’re warned that Michael Flynn could be another thorn in the administration’s foot in a scandal that likely won’t go away and may never be resolved.

On Capitol Hill government ethics has turned to harassment and sexual misconduct. America wanted bipartisanship, now a scandal that’s causing problems for both parties is giving us what we asked for.

What is the Government Ethics category about?

The government ethics category is about what happens when political opportunity takes precedence over doing the right thing. From fake politics to outright thievery, as long as there is money and power to be had ethics will be an inconvenience best ignored.

This Is Not Who We Are: Dems Seek Gain from New Tragedy

Last update October 30, 2018Leave a Comment

Politicians frequently tell us what we believe and what we stand for. Often their remarks are preceded by something like “this is who we are” or “this is not who we are.” What they really mean is “this is how you should think.” The tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh yesterday gave us examples of each. A few stand out to unequivocally show what “this is not who we are” means.

Civility Rules? House Commitment Signers Choose Hostility

Last update October 26, 2018Leave a Comment

Can we politely agree that political losers don’t have any reason to be civil? That includes minority House Democrats who signed a commitment yet play by their own unique set of civility rules that don’t place outright hostility and disrespect off limits, especially when they are directed at the president.

Sentencing Reform Bills Won’t Help the Guilty by Accusation

Last update October 14, 2018Leave a Comment

The current push for sentencing reform bills is a lucky thing for felons who have secured a voice on Capitol Hill even though they are locked up and can’t vote. It doesn’t do anything for the most maligned figures of all, those unfortunate individuals caught in congressional crosshairs because they have been tapped by the president for a prized appointment. In our social climate of de facto guilt for white males accused of sexual impropriety it is very easy to be tried, convicted, and ruined without ever being charged with a crime. Just ask Brett Kavanaugh.

Dignity, Respect, Tolerance in a Nation That Despises Itself

Last update May 28, 2018Leave a Comment

Can we face an ugly truth? School shootings have become a part of the American way of life. With Memorial Day almost here, how do we reconcile the dignity of a day of that respects those who died to protect this country’s future with kids killing each other?

Not Normal, Not OK for Democrats to Threaten War

Last update May 10, 2018Leave a Comment

It’s not normal and not OK to threaten the American people with war in the Middle East, but that’s the path Democrats have chosen. Every signal coming from Kim Jong-un and North Korea tells us that appeasement is a losing strategy and that credible threats can yield a positive outcome. Sure, this is old school foreign policy that’s out of place in the age of get along no matter the cost, but it works.