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 We are all on trial
by Tom Campbell
October 22, 2009
Former Governor Easley is the subject of investigation by the State Board of Elections and a federal Grand Jury. The FBI lists government corruption as its fourth highest priority, just behind counterterrorism, espionage, and cyber crime. North Carolina has had far too many public officials accused of wrongdoing in recent years, prompting the question whether people are more corrupt today than forty, fifty or sixty years ago or whether we just hear more about it?
America in 1949 was a much different place than in 2009. We had just concluded World War II where people had agreed to rationing commodities, volunteered to fight or play some role in the war effort. Credit was tight to nonexistent and you had to save up to make a major purchase. If a family member or neighbor got sick or down on their luck everyone pitched in. People left their houses unlocked. We trusted our politicians, business and religious leaders and educators to do the right thing because it was the right thing.
We are a different people today. For what are we willing to sacrifice? And in this self-centered culture, how do we define the “common good?” The notion of thrift has, until the recent recession, faded into memory. Who do we trust? We have more, want more and give less proportionately than in years past.
We wink our eyes when a TV personality admits to preying on women in his office. His ratings go up. When a big name athlete or movie star gets caught doing something illegal or immoral it’s alright; we keep paying to see him play. When a bank exec earning millions of dollars lays off 1,000 workers because the economy is bad we sympathize. We don’t bat an eye when a politician admits to having an extramarital affair or accepts bribes and favors. If a public servant is known to have less than healthy relationships we turn our heads because he keeps bringing home the bacon. We don’t trust much of anyone in authority but keep our heads down and our mouths shut because we are working hard to get ahead. We have become a culture obsessed with what’s in it for me.
So why should we expect more from our public servants than we expect from the rest of our culture? We say politicians should be held to a higher standard because they are dealing with our tax dollars, but perhaps our standards for everyone are too low. Why do we accept greed to overtake capitalism, corruption to be tolerated in public service and moral standards to plummet?
A former politician might be on the witness stand this week but we are all on trial for expecting and accepting less than honorable conduct in every facet of our lives. This is a time for self examination. |
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