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Ethics Question of the Day

June 25, 2009

From a blogger elsewhere

If Mark Sanford had cheated on his taxes instead of his wife, he would have been a cabinet member by now.

Hmm, I teach the ethics class here at A & M, we have seen several cabinet members get a pass on their views of responsibility vis a vis the IRS code, including the now chief enforcer Secy of Treasury Geithner

So, in the wake of both infidelities of numerous politicos on both sides of the aisle, remember Elliot Spitzer?, is this just a private matter, remember the defense of Bill Clinton, that we should ignore?

Maybe you missed this one on Republican John Ensign just last week, frankly there are too many of these to catalog lately, okay I mentioned two Dems and two Republicans, fair and balanced….

Hollywood types change mates as though they are just another wardrobe accessory, and no one seems to think any less of them. Jen and Brad are history. Clint Eastwood has seven children by four different women. If it is okay on the left coast, is it okay on the right coast, different scene, different theater. But both involve actors vying for your vote at the box or Congressional office near you.

Does tax infidelity equal marital infidelity, does tax infidelity matter more in the case of being a role model at the cabinet level? Does one trump the other? Does it matter which theater (marrriage, taxes) we are in? Should your behavior matter in your appointment? Some cabinet wanabes lost out over nanny care social security filings, they did not pay the social security matching, but lately that does not seem to matter…… Do you care? Should we care? These guys and gals I think take an oath to uphold uh er ah, well maybe not…..

Congress-the national asylum for the incompetent

Mark Twain

Okay gang, I await your sound off!

Posted in Ethics

6 responses to “Ethics Question of the Day”

Richard Delgado Jr

June 25, 2009

To me they both matter on the same level. If you cheat the government out of the money you owe, how do you except the constitutes that you represent not to follow the leader. On the other hand, cheating on your spouse is coming more common but is still unacceptable. When you are an elected official in any office, you are to set the example. All our elected officials are for getting the phase “Led by example.”

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Dennis Elam

June 25, 2009

Yet wee tolerate that routinely on the left coast, no doubt politicians yearn for that same standard on the right coast.
I suspect as Richard says that Wash DC has no idea how letting these poilticians skirt the IRS rules that apply to the rest of us.

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Olivia Tober

June 25, 2009

Touching subject!! Actors and actresses expect to get caught because they are always in the limelight. Having affairs is one thing and doing their job is another. The Hollywood types continue to get support becuase for the most part they continue to do their jobs. Example: Clint Eastwood and Grand Tarino. He may have several kids from several marriages but does he continue to support them? I’m sure that he does and this is why he is still looked upon as a legend in Hollywood. It’s unfortunate but if your in the limelight you should expect all the dirt to come out. My question is “Is he doing his job?” Who cares what goes on in his personal life!! Now instead of doing his job everyone will be focused on his personal life. Talk about distractions. It’s unfortunate for him that this draws so much attention but it is the way of our world. All these politicians that avoid taxes and claim “I didn’t know” are the ones that should be focused on. Even after all this they continue to move up the ladder. Maybe Sanford’s thinking is, hey the president got away with it, why can’t I? Our world is nuts!! There is no such thing as ethics, only convience.

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Dennis Elam

June 25, 2009

I suspect your last sentence has this pretty well framed, good ob servation that Clint supports his kids.

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brad phillips

June 25, 2009

I see this not as just “cheating”, but lying! He had his entire staff blowing smoke. He is in a position of authority, and in charge of an entire state. My family is from SC, and it is a very conservative state, and don’t think they will let this one go.
10 euphemisms from the Mark Sanford affair
1. recharging after the stimulus battle
2. undisclosing my location
3. wanting to do something exotic
4. parking the Suburban at the airport
5. driving the Argentine coast
6. refusing the federal stimulus package
7. resigning as chairman of the Republican Governors Association
8. improving The State’s circulation
9. not disputing the authenticity of the emails
10. upholding the Monroe Doctrine

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Dennis Elam

June 25, 2009

Brad
Well done, I particularly liked the Monroe Doctrine bit, and as you say, Jenny Sanford has kicked him out I understand.

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