by Jack Lee
We’ve all seen the scandals, the bribe money in the freezer, the sex stings, caught with prostitutes, illicit affairs with lobbyists, etc. For whatever the reasons, perhaps it’s an overvalued sense of power that gives them a feeling of being above the law? Or maybe it’s the daily temptations that wear down their defenses? Whatever it is, we know too many of our representatives can’t live up to our moral expectations once they get into public office. And when scandals happen, as they so frequently do, it not only brings them down, but to some degree it brings down the credibility of government and weakens government’s authority at every level. In order to short circuit this alarming trend maybe we need to think of ways to hold people more accountable, to encourage better behavior because merely taking an oath of office doesn’t seem to be enough anymore!
Maybe you have your own ideas how to hold them accountable and we would love to hear them, but for now here’s my idea…consider it food for thought:
Before voting for or endorsing any candidate. . . would you support asking them for an “ethics contract” with their supporters? This would be purely voluntary. An ethics contract is simply an agreement between the candidate and the people and it says, as a legislator they will be subject to binding arbitration to determine a fine and/or resignation from public office, should they violate their ethics contract.