The U.S. tax payer is bailing out financial institutions that include banks, insurance, and investment firms. (We won’t discuss the automotive companies…). In light of blatant unethical behavior, Americans are rethinking their support. In the midst of our federal representatives publicly reprimanding larger financial firms for distributing bonuses, redecorating offices, ordering corporate jets, et cetera, it was revealed on March 26 that members of our legislative body continue to accept PAC money from the very banks they publicly chastise. The total sum of money is not huge - in the scheme of things ($2,000 - $250,000), but the amounts serve as a “distraction.”
The scenario, as presented by the media, illustrate the discussions we had in our past class regarding higher education (h.e.) institutes receiving donations from corporate donors that may have questionable practices and policies that run counter to the h.e. mission. Based on this statement, how can our legislators accept funds from the very organizations they criticize? How can financial institutes continue to use tax payer funds to cycle back to legislators who sit on the financial committee, is a majority leader, and so forth? Ethical utilitarianism is not demonstrated very strongly in this regard! Our very leaders are being tasked to confront unethical behavior, yet their behavior does not contribute to the confidence of Americans in their ability and dedication to changing their own.
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Nancy,
I think congresspersons are almost recruited to be unethical. How can a person afford to run for congress unless she or he is indepentally wealthy (where did the wealth come from?) or is willing to solicit funds. It is so expensive to run for congress, one has to start fund raising for re-election the day a candidate wins office.
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