Ethics in Government

Integrity of government is fundamental to our republic.  Without a moral standard of right conduct and moral values the government of the United States will not function well or perhaps not function at all.  To this end the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the government have promulgated codes of ethics specifically for each branch.  These codes of ethics sometimes run into hundreds of pages and are designed by writers to deal with the issues which that branch of government sees most damaging if certain events or actions occur.

For example, both the Executive and Legislative Branches Code of Ethics have much to say about relationships with lobbyists, i.e. gifts and travel paid by lobbyists and how when leaving the employment of the government a person cannot lobby the same area where they were employed except after certain conditions are met.   The Judicial Code of ethics has much less emphasis on relations with outsiders when it prohibits political activity and encourages the avoidance of conflicts with judicial duties without stating where those conflicts may arise. The Judicial Code appears to stress professionalism, as it should, when it uses terms such as integrity, independence, propriety, impartiality and diligence.  Many of the code provisions of the three branches appear to apply to the employees of the agencies more than the elected or appointed officials.

Citizens must hold all elected officials accountable with the power of the vote.  The Legislators then must then hold judges accountable.   The wisdom and character of the judges should be substantiated prior to their assuming a judgeship since that appointment may be lifetime.  In some cases officials have been prosecuted and jailed for violations of specific ethical standards, which have been written into law.  In all cases the citizens of the United States should hold their public servants to a high standard of ethics and practice, and insure compliance with their oath of office.

The elected and appointed officials and the employees of their respective branches should at all times uphold the Constitution and enforce the laws of the land.  They should do that with honesty, integrity, trust, justice and transparency.  If they do not perform their respective duties, they should be removed from office by whatever legal means is necessary and replaced by a person who will do the right and proper thing.  Integrity of government will not occur if the people in government do not have the character required and citizens must demand it.

Violations of ethical standards should be reported to appropriate authorities.  In the case of federal ethical violations, reports can be made to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, Congressional Ethics Committee or the Senate Committee on Ethics depending on the branch of government where the violation occurred.  States also have ethics bodies where violations can be reported.  They can be found on the web.