This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

A Higher Standard

What should our ethics standards be for members of Congress? Is it wrong to hold our elected representatives to a higher level of accountability?

Washington-based reporter Jamie Dupree recently made comments on Neal Boortz' WSB radio show that have me scratching my head in disbelief. When asked about the news regarding a certain New York Congressman, this reporter remarked that he didn't know what everyone was so shocked about. He said, "That's why they call it the House of Representatives, because it represents the people, and there are good and bad people both in and out of Congress."

That kind of thinking, Mr. Dupree, is what is wrong with this country! Your statement is an accommodation that makes it easier not to have a moral stance when it comes to ethical behavior. You are required by your journalistic oath (as well you should be) to remain objective; but what you said sounded more like opinion -- opinion that insinuates that we shouldn't expect the highest standard of behavior in our elected officials because they're only human like the rest of us.

So we should trust our government, our financial futures and national security to people who are willing to let the bad side of their human nature dictate often less than desirable actions?  Yes, we're well aware that Congressmen are human. But, no, we think the people of America expect a higher standard from their elected representatives than the average person. They hope that they will possess the highest character possible and exhibit behavior, at least while in Washington, that will not make us regret that we trusted them!

It's doubtful that many Americans are standing in front of a voting machine thinking, "Well, this man/woman may end up having an illicit marital affair or embezzle money from his accounting firm, but they're only human -- we only want them to show up as a bodily placeholder on the floor of the house, and push an electronic device when called upon by the Speaker; that's enough for us!"

It should be a higher calling to serve your fellow citizens, to represent their wishes, their fears, and their concerns, in the federal halls of the greatest republic in the history of the world. It may not be the priesthood, but the higher standard required of Congress should more closely resemble that than the representative "human" behavior found on the average city street corner!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?