| mySPIN |
 When In Doubt, Don't
by Tom Campbell
January 25, 2007
Lawmakers, lobbyists, media representatives, and other interested persons have converged on Raleigh for the 2007 session of The General Assembly. Headlines prior to the start indicate many lawmakers are struggling to interpret and abide by the new ethics and lobby laws they passed last year.
Why, we wonder, are so many lawmakers having problems interpreting a law which they designed, debated and passed? Do they really not understand what they passed into law or have they, now that they are facing the loss of gifts, trips, tickets and expensive meals decided they might not want to abide by the new law?
We ask our lawmakers to make judgments on important legislation affecting the people of our state, so it is not unreasonable to also expect them to exercise good judgment in their conduct in office. The new laws were passed because it was clear that many didn’t know where to draw the line in accepting gifts, favors and campaign contributions. These abuses brought down a powerful House Speaker and we likely haven’t heard the end of them.
On a values clarification scale there is a wide disparity between the relative value of a gift of a coffee cup and tickets to the ACC tournament. Accepting the cup is not significant. A gift of tickets should be unacceptable, but many legislators couldn’t seem to distinguish between what was and wasn’t alright. The implication was that our lawmakers were for sale and in our opinion the new legislation didn’t go far enough in setting boundaries, but it was at least a start. The fact that the language is somewhat confusing can be attributed directly to a handful of legislators who wanted wiggle room and refused to make the legislation clear and precise.
We hope the questioning isn’t a response to the entitlement mentality some lawmakers had developed, resulting in a relaxation of the newly passed laws. If the questions are indeed a legitimate attempt to make their conduct honorable and ethical, the questioning can be applauded as a step in the right direction.
Let us offer some help to those who may be struggling with the new laws. Momma ‘n ‘em always said, “When in doubt, don’t.” It is that simple. If there is a question as to whether an offered gift is in compliance with the law or with ethical conduct, don’t accept it. Buy your own meals. Pay for your own golf outings and tickets. Be beholding to no one save the people who put you where you are. That way you certainly abide by the law and likely will sleep better.
|
|
