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 Passing the Sunshine Test
by Tom Campbell
March 15, 2007
Ongoing probes into the financial and ethical dealings of public officials raise a legitimate question. What should we, as citizens, expect of those serving in public positions?
Call me naďve, but those who would serve in elected, appointed, or public employment should be able to pass what I call the “sunshine” test. Every contemplated action should be measured against the question “how would this be judged if the public knew about it?” .
Make no mistake, nobody is perfect and you don’t have to be perfect to serve. But we do expect basic honesty, common sense, and both the recognition and upholding of the trust that was placed in those who agreed to serve. Each individual should clearly understand and agree to hold themselves accountable to a higher standard of conduct.
The concept of the public servant appears to have been lost or, at the least, misplaced. Servants do not and should not expect special treatment or rewards. Public servants are just that – people who agree to serve others. The reward comes in the serving, not in benefiting one’s own bank account, increasing one’s personal power or providing a basis for higher office or position. This is more than an old-fashioned concept in today’s individualistic society.
In truth, it is a great opportunity, a high honor and privilege to be called upon to serve the public, to have a chance to make life better for others. But with this privilege comes a corresponding responsibility and accountability. Recent revelations indicate some have lost sight of and have violated this public trust. North Carolina has been poorly served and disillusioned by this corruption. It is increasingly apparent that operating for the common good may not be as common as we once believed. We must persist in exposing those who break the trust, because when we no longer trust those who serve us everyone loses.
My father served as a state legislator and was later appointed to a high-ranking position. He had no problem upholding the trust placed in him by those who elected him, even though his decision (on more than one occasion) cost his business and his family financially and in time spent away. He wasn’t alone. There were and are many others who have done the same without hesitation.
Harry Truman is quoted as saying, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” If public officials are not willing to disclose potential conflicts, if they are unwilling to serve without regard to their own personal welfare, they should stay out of public service.
Some will think it nigh unto impossible to find individuals who meet this standard, but I believe they underestimate the inherent goodness and honesty in people. There are many willing to adhere to high moral and ethical standards, willing to pass our “sunshine test.”
We must identify and empower them to fill this high calling.
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