Ethics and Politics

Ethics and Politics

          What is so difficult about being an elected official and conducting your affairs in  

          an ethical manner?  I use the term, "affairs," to refer to one's business

          practices, not one's romantic entanglements.

Is it that we are electing charlatans???  Is it that our society has lost its moral

compass??  Is it that, in our current way of life, it's, "Everyone for

themselves???"  Or, perhaps, is it that NO ONE has been paying attention for

years and years, and, that's the way that our political process has been

operating?

Ethics is not as complicated as some would like for you to believe.  The basic

premise is pretty simple.  Do what you are paid to do.  Do not accept ANY other

compensation, from anyone, for doing your job.  State your opinion clearly.  It

should coincide with what your electorate has stated prior to your election.  Do

not change your opinion because:  Someone offers you money; or a future

position; or college funds for your children or grandchildren; or an amazing

vacation in Europe, or North Carolina, or anyplace else; or for ANY OTHER

reason, other than, new facts have arisen which have altered the field of

consideration.

Ethics is not complicated.  It is BASIC HONESTY.  If you have to, "ask for an

opinion" from a "higher authority," you might just as well assume that it is

UNETHICAL. Apply the "smell test" to whatever you're questioning.  "What

would any constituent think if they were faced with the situation that I'm in?"

What would your Mom think, or your grandmother???  If you think that most

people would think that there's "something else" going on here, then you

should back off.  Perception is reality.  If the general public thinks that what

you're doing is wrong, step back.  Change the perception before you attempt to

do what you have been trying to do.

        A reputation is very difficult to maintain, let alone rebuild.  One misstep, or

        perceived misstep,  WILL change the progress of your life.  Decisions are made

        on a daily basis.  As a politician, one must realize that each and every decision

       will affect your future.  It's the same with non-political people, however, their  

       decisions only affect their lives...and those of their familial and social circles. 

       Their reputations are discussed by a limited  circle of acquaintances.  A decision

      made by an elected official will affect the living conditions of an entire

      community, for a very long time.  Their reputations may be destroyed, however,

      the ramifications for their constituents may be immeasurable.  Taxes, education,

      traffic, and community ambiance

 may be changed with the casting of just one

      vote.  An ethical commissioner, representative, senator, or board member could,

      by their ethical position, do so much to assure that their constituency was being

      served, that their voices were being heard, and that their political views were

      being heard.

I'm Voting for the President

  If you are involved, even minimally, in anyone's campaign, you've probably made phone calls or knocked on doors.  Door knocking is physical labor, especially in south Florida.  Phone calls are like nothing ever encountered before.  Hang-ups, cursing, and unfamiliarity with the allowances in the "Do Not Call List," subject you to really some hostile folks.  Have any of you encountered the voter, on the list that "The Campaign" has provided, who says: "Oh, I only vote in the Presidential elections.  Those are the only ones that matter."  Are you one of them?

  Please change that attitude.  If you care about your bank balance, your  taxes, your schools, and your neighborhood, then you need to vote in local elections.  Additionally, your Congressional representatives are elected every two years.  Don't miss the boat by letting someone else choose who is representing you. Your town, city, or municipality is the first entity that dips into your pocket.  If you can regulate them, you have a great chance of controlling the next layer of government.  It continues to spiral upward.  Control the city, the county, the state, and then you have a fair chance of making an impact in a national election.

  Should you decide that you'll wait until 2016 before casting your ballot, I hate to be the one to tell you, but, someone else will be selecting your state governor.  Someone else will be selecting your state senators and representatives. Someone else will be selecting your congressional representative.  Do you trust "them" to choose for you??

  The actual act of voting is not that difficult.  What is complicated is deciding who deserves your vote, but that's another blog post.  What is most important is going to the polls and casting your vote.  Or submitting an absentee ballot.  Every election.  Every opportunity.  Every time that there is a choice, you must  exercise your right to be heard.  If you don't, someone will take your place.  You may not like their choices.

  

The ACLU

Who the Hell is the ACLU

In some areas of these great United States of America, the initials, ACLU, brings sneers, derogatory comments, and an attitude that even writing the initials is anti-American.  It is time for educated residents of these United States to examine the ACLU.  How can folks denigrate another, or a group, or a movement, without understanding exactly what it is?  They can't.

The American Civil Liberties Union believes that all Americans are entitled to the protections guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States of America.  That's it.  End of story.  The ACLU doesn't believe in Democrats, Republicans, Independents, or those who have NO political affiliation. 

The ACLU doesn't fight to protect blacks, women, Jews, or Christians.  It does not discriminate.  It fights to protect the rights of ALL Americans.  The American Civil Liberties Union is not anti-church, anti-temple, or anti-religion.  In fact, the only "religious" stance that the ACLU takes, is one that says, educate your children in the religion of your choice, in your own home, church, mosque, or synagogue. 

One's religious beliefs should be internalized, a system of beliefs  that governs all of the individual's actions.  The American Civil Liberties Union believes that, and, alternatively, believes that every American is entitled to have no religion or no religious beliefs.  In fact, the First Amendment to the US Constitution tells Congress that they may not establish a religion, nor shall they prohibit anyone from practicing their own religion.

Is this difficult to understand?  Is there some hateful ulterior motive hidden, not only in the US Constitution, but in the working of the ACLU?

Communication is a wonderful thing, but, in order for it to function properly, you must be willing to talk, or write, or e-mail.

Would you like to find out, "Who the hell is the ACLU??"  Let me give you a website to search, or a number to call.  I think that you'll find that they are all red-blooded Americans, just as you are.  All that the ACLU wants is exactly what you want.  Every right guaranteed to you by the Constitution of the United States of America.

The National ACLU website is:     www.aclu.org 

The Florida ACLU website is:        www.aclufl.org