I'm writing this on the eve of November 3, 2008, prior to this year's election. Presidencies have their ethical legacies: I can remember five catastrophes in my lifetime – John F. Kennedy (Bay of Pigs, Cuban missile crisis, assassination), Lyndon Johnson (Vietnam), Richard Nixon (Watergate), Jimmy Carter (Iran hostage crisis and economic crisis) and Bill Clinton (Waco, China military tech, USS Cole, Kosovo, Monica Lewinsky).
Presidential campaigns have theirs too: This is one for the history books:
- The oldest candidate in history
The first endorsed black candidate- Record $2.4 billion campaign (according to the Center for Responsive Politics)
- Incredible infusion of technology and young voters
- Savings & Loan scandal of the 80s tarnishes one candidate (a little)
- Associations with convicted felon, domestic terrorist, a PLO sympathizer, voter fraud group, racist preacher/mentor, illegal immigrant relative, tarnishes the other candidate (even less)
After all is said and done, will there be ethics issues that will linger on? Yes, consider the following three:
- Accountability: despite the seeming P.A.S.S. (perverse acceptance of a special situation as I call them in my book, Everyday Ethics, Everlasting Consequences Insight 2008 available at www.REACHdevelopment.com), given to the "nation's first black political rock star" - media scrutiny must ensue. The media is in the business of reporting news or making it. Now is the time for them to make it by investigating and informing. America's biggest question, of the President and the media, will be: "Why didn't we know this before the election?"
- Decision Making and Conduct: despite the obfuscation of seemingly "poor" judgment with regard to past and present associations, there will be intense attention paid to every decision the new president makes. Questions will arise regarding influence by the old political Washington guard that surrounds him or new advisors he reaches out to. Issues of patriotism, global alliances, illegal immigration, energy independence, terrorism defense, Supreme Court appointments, and the economic rebound will rise to critical focus.
- Civility: despite the "unifying" persona during the campaign, his associates are anti-American, racist, and socialist at best and set on the destruction of capitalism and democracy at worst. Late campaign rhetoric suggests wealth redistribution, eliminating the poor and wealthy, and creating a bigger middle class. This is not going to be taken lightly and many will feel betrayed by or beholden to their government for a new way of life.
Trust is at the heart of every leader's success. Campaigns conceal what actual conduct reveals. This election will go down in the history books and will shape a new direction for America and its ethical compass. Here's hoping the new president understands this. |
