Webster defines Integrity as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.” Integrity is one of the core values of any good leader, yet Americans seem to be viewing this as a “nice to have” rather than demand it.
With all the stories of infidelity, extortion, bribery, voter fraud, and much more, we have to wonder what message this is sending to the younger generation. Integrity leads to trust, respect, and loyalty, yet we turn our backs and devalue it, which has resulted in a lack of trust, respect, and loyalty at home and abroad.
In the news, we have had a long list of scandals that show the lack of integrity with some of our leaders, including:
- A Massachusetts State Senator was indicted for accepting a bribe.
- An Alaskan Senator was convicted on 7 felony charges.
- A Louisiana Congressman was indicted for accepting bribes.
- The New York Governor is linked to a prostitute and his successor admits numerous affairs
- A Former Presidential candidate admits affair
- A Congressman forgets to pay tax on rental property
- Non-profit organization commits voter fraud
I can go on for quite a while, but that was the stuff off the top off my head and I don’t want to research or I’ll get real depressed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not without sin, but I’m an angel compared to these folks and may actually have a chance to get by St. Peter.
What’s disturbing is that we just try to brush all this scandal aside. We make excuses – infidelity is a private matter. He forgot to pay $70K in taxes. I don’t know how the $20K got stuck in her bra – it’s not important, she’s nice. We ignore the unacceptable behavior and, in essence, condone it; then wonder why we have so much corruption.
The worst outcome of all this is with our younger generations. According to an exclusive U.S. News poll:
- 84% of college students believe they need to cheat to get ahead in the world today.
- 90% of college students say cheaters never pay the price; 90% say when people see someone cheating, they don’t turn him in.
- 63% of college students say it’s fair for parents to help with their kids’ homework; 20% of adults think it’s fair to do it.
- Students say parental pressure (40%), peer pressure (40%), and the availability of new technology (31%) make them cheat.
- Over 90% of college students say politicians cheat often. Who else do 90% think are cheaters? The media–and high schoolers.
Further, the Josephson Institute for the Advanced Study of Ethics reports that in 2002, 37 percent of high school youths would be willing to lie to get a good job and that’s on an upward trend.
The moral of the story is that we are in danger of having the “I deserve it” generation enter our workforce and integrity is not on their minds. The same generation will be responsible for our national security, our government, and our money.
It all starts at home and we all need to walk the talk. It’s time to start holding people accountable for their actions and demand integrity from ALL of our leaders. It’s non-negotiable!
As if it isn’t bad enough, the Governor of Illinois has been arrested for corruption after he tried to sell off President-elect Obama’s U.S. Senate seat for cash and favors. It’s just another example of how integrity is becoming an afterthought.
This is a time where we should have antipathy toward those who violate the public trust, not pity. We can only hope the shock and outrage is genuine and it leads to some national reform, but don’t hold your breath.
[...] goes right to the heart of what I wrote about previously, Integrity. We continue to lower the standards and make excuses for the lack of integrity and look where we are [...]