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 Arrogance of Power
by Tom Campbell
October 5, 2006
Arrogance of power. John Rowland’s been there, done that, and got the jail time. The former Connecticut Governor spoke to The John Locke Foundation and admitted what most of us already knew, that people in power are tempted to abuse that power.
The road to corruption and unethical behavior begins in small steps, much like other addictions. A gift of cigars, champagne, then lavish trips and a convertible, in Rowland’s case, was the slippery slope to corruption. The temptations become great and the powerful develop an entitlement attitude. They are entitled, they justify, because of the greater good they do, the inadequate compensation they receive, and the sacrifices they make of time away from families.
This scenario is beginning to play out in North Carolina, as we learn politicians have abused the public trust. But make no mistake; this is not a problem with politicians alone. One doesn’t have to look far to see corruption in business, the clergy, education, the legal profession, medicine - in most every area of our lives. When exposed, there is often a mad rush to pass new laws to address the abuses. John Rowland says we can pass all the laws we want, but until our culture changes, nothing significant will change. He’s right.
The first cultural change must be to give up the “me, my, mine” attitude that puts personal needs and desires above anything and anyone else. We have lost sight of humility, the common good, and service to others.
We next must address this culture’s refusal to differentiate between right and wrong. The prevalent feeling is that anything goes so long as it doesn’t interfere with me or my rights. We aren’t to judge, so we believe.
When we do see wrong there is an unspoken rule to keep quiet, whether it involves shoplifting a candy bar or embezzling thousands of dollars. We fear getting involved, possibly inconvenienced or maybe implicated. A “go-along to get-along” mentality promotes a culture where people stand for nothing and fall for anything.
In short, we are getting what we tolerate. We have a spiritual problem. Until we send loud and clear messages that we will not allow people in power to break laws or act unethically we will continue to get what we are getting.
We should begin that cultural change at the ballot box, then in the board room and throughout the culture. Let’s be clear. There are ethical and honest people in government and other sectors, but when they refuse to speak out against abuses they become just as guilty as the rest. It is time honorable people acted honorably. And when they do, the rest of us must support them; otherwise we will continue to witness the arrogance of power.
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