topic Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials? in Community Chat

Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

Winkk — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 12:50:14 GMT

I live in PA and was reading the paper this morning about a PA Supreme Court judge being called on inappropriate emails. It just seems as though every time I read the paper or internet there is another public official being relieved of their duties due to poor judgement.

Whatever happend to people with integrity, morals and a good role model? Do they start off OK but then get tainted when they enter office? I don't know if it is happening more or that since we have news 24/7 we just hear about it more. Either way it's very discouraging.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

IamMrsG — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 12:57:19 GMT

I don't believe it's just a problem with public officials. Our entire society has degraded and is still sliding downward.

Look at what we accept for entertainment. Look at who we promote to celebrity. Look at how we dress, how we speak.

Why would we be surprised to learn our public officials are any different? After all, who voted them into office?

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

bonnielu — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:10:40 GMT

I do agree the integrity HAS SLIPPED. It is everywhere. And yet naive me still looks to find only the good with hope by example the good will prevail over the not so good. I guess a girl can dream.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

brii — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:14:55 GMT

Did they ever have integrity?

Power does strange things to people...

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

Winkk — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:16:22 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
I don't believe it's just a problem with public officials. Our entire society has degraded and is still sliding downward.

Look at what we accept for entertainment. Look at who we promote to celebrity. Look at how we dress, how we speak.

Why would we be surprised to learn our public officials are any different? After all, who voted them into office?

I totally agree with the first part. As for voting people into office, you really don't know any candidate that is running you only see what they want you to see. Once they get elected their real selves come out.

Not all public officials are bad, it's just a shame that the ones who get notoriety are those with questionable actions. You are right about our society degrading which is scary because our pool of upstanding citizens for public office will dwindle.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

BellaCarro — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:18:18 GMT

This is not an exclusive modern day phenomenon. Corruption in government has existed since the dawn of governments. Our modern day press, however, is not as complicit in covering it up. Officials who use the internet for inappropriate or illegal actions are stupid, arrogant, or both. So easy to track.

I think you have to have a bit of an ego to be in a public office, certainly a thick skin and a large dose of confidence. Even if you start out with the best of intentions you become surrounded with people seeking your favor and telling you how wonderful you are. It's going to corrupt. And, ultimate power corrupts ultimately.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

bonnielu — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:18:18 GMT

I honestly believe that THEY start out with good intentions and the power grab factor takes over. But I can see how it would happen. Think about it. Think about your friends, your relatives, all those people who help you. NOW PUT YOURSELF IN POWER. IT WOULD SEEM HUMAN NATURE TO WANT TO HELP SOMEONE WHO HELPS YOU.

My remedy.... TERM LIMITS. No one can get in and stay in what looks like forever.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

shwarma — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:19:43 GMT

You are so correct. Read any news page and the story is the same. We have decided to accept this type of behavior. The words "I am sorry" are thrown out every time someone acts badly. I no longer believe the words. The media is stunned with the current upheaval in DC..I am thrilled. It is time for the people to stand up and shout. Thank you for caring!

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

Nuttmeg — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:25:39 GMT

This is a shame. You do not sent emails or post on social media anything you do not want anyone to read.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

IamMrsG — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:51:31 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
This is a shame. You do not sent emails or post on social media anything you do not want anyone to read.

And if he/she does, what does it say about their overall decision making ability?

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:56:53 GMT

@Winkk wrote:
I live in PA and was reading the paper this morning about a PA Supreme Court judge being called on inappropriate emails. It just seems as though every time I read the paper or internet there is another public official being relieved of their duties due to poor judgement.

Whatever happened to people with integrity, morals and a good role model? Do they start off OK but then get tainted when they enter office? I don't know if it is happening more or that since we have news 24/7 we just hear about it more. Either way it's very discouraging.

What I find even more annoying is how people try to assign the term "good role model" to any celebrity or dumb jock that comes along.

I don't know the specifics of what triggered this thread, but since this individual's job is in a courtroom, who would determine this is a candidate for the term "good role model"?

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

LilacTree — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:04:51 GMT

This has always been so. The difference is the media doesn't cover it up anymore. I voted for JFK, I loved JFK. It was "Camelot" after all. The press knew the truth, but did not divulge it. Some of it has dribbled out over the years.

We still don't know all of the real truth about his short presidency and his personal life. It will come out when all those who are still alive and part of it are gone.

And he is, by far, not the only one.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

Montana — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:15:49 GMT

Who would have believed people could become rich, famous and admired for immoral behavior? Yet, this is where we are: adulterers, exhibitionists, egomaniacs and liars among the lowlifes we idolize in society today.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

BellaCarro — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:18:06 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
This has always been so. The difference is the media doesn't cover it up anymore. I voted for JFK, I loved JFK. It was "Camelot" after all. The press knew the truth, but did not divulge it. Some of it has dribbled out over the years.

We still don't know all of the real truth about his short presidency and his personal life. It will come out when all those who are still alive and part of it are gone.

And he is, by far, not the only one

@LilacTree yep. See my comments on post #7. I almost added that our press stopped its complicity during and after Watergate.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

AngusandBuddhasMom — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:19:20 GMT

@Montana wrote:
Who would have believed people could become rich, famous and admired for immoral behavior? Yet, this is where we are: adulterers, exhibitionists, egomaniacs and liars among the lowlifes we idolize in society today.

No idolizing here I see no reason to idolize another human.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:19:42 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
I don't believe it's just a problem with public officials. Our entire society has degraded and is still sliding downward.

Look at what we accept for entertainment. Look at who we promote to celebrity. Look at how we dress, how we speak.

Why would we be surprised to learn our public officials are any different? After all, who voted them into office?

Well said IamMrsG! I think with all the media scrutiny and gossip we have pretty much run off any candidates that would actually like to do the job they were elected for and help people and this great nation.

Look how fast they run to the first microphone/camera/Sunday morning talk show.

With all this scrutiny, it would be tough for an everyday person to take this job anymore. I wish I had an answer/good idea but unfortunately I do not.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

jlkz — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:22:47 GMT

Agree with posters' comments. Additionally, look at how parents have changed in raising children--- no consequences for bad behavior whether at home, school, or elsewhere. Espousing the morals, or lack thereof, in movies, TV, "music" lyrics, celebrities, etc. has consequences.

Lack of respect, esp. for women, is rampant: what do you expect subsequent behavior to mirror ( subject of email pornography, increased number of rapes, etc. ) ? ? ?

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

Winkk — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:25:56 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Winkk wrote:
I live in PA and was reading the paper this morning about a PA Supreme Court judge being called on inappropriate emails. It just seems as though every time I read the paper or internet there is another public official being relieved of their duties due to poor judgement.

Whatever happened to people with integrity, morals and a good role model? Do they start off OK but then get tainted when they enter office? I don't know if it is happening more or that since we have news 24/7 we just hear about it more. Either way it's very discouraging.

What I find even more annoying is how people try to assign the term "good role model" to any celebrity or dumb jock that comes along.

I don't know the specifics of what triggered this thread, but since this individual's job is in a courtroom, who would determine this is a candidate for the term "good role model"?

People who some consider role models are a joke.

What made me post this morning is because there is a lot of nonsense going on in the PA District Attorney's office. It has been in the news for weeks. A lot of high level justices are alleged involved with inappropriate emails and cover ups. According to news reports this has been going on for quite some time and things are now coming out. It's a long complicated story which I cannot post because it is political and would be puffed.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

LilacTree — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:27:41 GMT

@BellaCarro wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
This has always been so. The difference is the media doesn't cover it up anymore. I voted for JFK, I loved JFK. It was "Camelot" after all. The press knew the truth, but did not divulge it. Some of it has dribbled out over the years.

We still don't know all of the real truth about his short presidency and his personal life. It will come out when all those who are still alive and part of it are gone.

And he is, by far, not the only one

@LilacTree yep. See my comments on post #7. I almost added that our press stopped its complicity during and after Watergate.

Bella Caro, your post comes up as #9 on my screen. I see that happening all the time on this BB. Knowing that, I just looked for your nic.

I agree with your response. WG was the turning point. I have surmised this recent "shock" and what caused it. However, I don't want to jeopardize this thread, so I won't express it. I think most people can guess anyway.

Re: Whatever Happened to Integrity of Public Officials?

BellaCarro — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:33:07 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
@BellaCarro wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
This has always been so. The difference is the media doesn't cover it up anymore. I voted for JFK, I loved JFK. It was "Camelot" after all. The press knew the truth, but did not divulge it. Some of it has dribbled out over the years.

We still don't know all of the real truth about his short presidency and his personal life. It will come out when all those who are still alive and part of it are gone.

And he is, by far, not the only one

@LilacTree yep. See my comments on post #7. I almost added that our press stopped its complicity during and after Watergate.
Bella Caro, your post comes up as #9 on my screen. I see that happening all the time on this BB. Knowing that, I just looked for your nic.

I agree with your response. WG was the turning point. I have surmised this recent "shock" and what caused it. However, I don't want to jeopardize this thread, so I won't express it. I think most people can guess anyway.

@LilacTree you're a wise and clever one