The Vanishing American Ethics by Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 72

The Vanishing American Ethics

By

Roger Behra

There is one very important factor in particular in American culture that is very disturbing to Americans whose moral compass is properly directed. And the factor, ethical behavior, has greatly vanished in modern American way of life. Let the explanation begin.

Ethical behavior is necessary in any country, because it serves the culture well. The culture suffers to the degree the ethical behavior is absent. Unethical behavior compounds itself when the belief is there that “everyone is doing it.”

Ethical behavior is the blending, or meshing, of good moral principals with good acceptable actions. It is the behavior that is expected without exception. And from that standpoint, newly elected President Obama´s beginning has been very disturbing.

During his first days in office, he has been selecting and naming nominees to his cabinet. So far, this has been an embarrassing situation, and the spotlight of embarrassment has been brightly in Washington.

Four of his nominations have been found to have an unethical background after their backgrounds were checked. One governor had to turn down his nomination because alleged unlawful business dealings while governor. Three other nominees were found to have not paid their taxes over a long period of time. They are classified as tax cheats. Two declined the nomination, and one was nominated anyway. And the embarrassing factor is he is one to be the secretary of the treasury, which is in charge of federal tax collections and regulations and regulations. A fifth nominee´s husband is guilty of not paying his taxes, also. It is very doubtful in all the taxes due were going to be paid if those nominations were not made.

It is also on record that other governors and mayors professional sports stars have not paid their taxes or have been found to be unethical in their personal and private lives. Many professional athletes have been stripped of their records, because of unethical behavior.

Teachers and religious clergy should be shining examples of ethical behavior. That is not the case in modern American culture. Very often since the year 2000, and most recently, in America it has been reported the widespread sexual abuse and sexual activity between clergy and school teachers and their students. These lapses in ethical behavior are totally shocking, irresponsible, and very inexcusable.

Several days ago eleven people were caught in unethical behavior. Seven chiropractors, one lawyer, and three office administrates were caught in an insurance sting. All were involved in cheating insurance providers out of large sum of money.

What is quite shocking is the thinking and feeling that there are a great number of existing cases yet to be discovered, because the stream of discoveries has be so great, and the discoveries have been in places not expected. The present feeling is that ethical behavior is on it´s death bed, gasping for air, and dying before our very eyes. That is most disconcerting, indeed, in America.

R.B.
02/07/09