Friday, January 2, 2009

Being a Psychopath III

The selection of Roland Burris by Governor Blagojevich raises the all-important question of ethics and the law. While Mr. Burris may not be guilty of any wrongdoing ascribed to the governor, there is this question of the law and ethics, not to mention that past attempts to be elected have failed.

Although there may not be a legal justification for not seating Mr. Burris, there is certainly an ethical one caused by Governor Blagojevich. Is the law ever unethical and who decides when the law has become such? History shows that laws can be unjust and unethical, as it is we ourselves who write and implement them. We are not infalliable.

My gut reaction in the Blagojevich/Burris case is that Mr. Burris should not be seated. This is not something that should be litigated. I am not only concerned here about the letter of the law but the spirit of the law too. Ethically, Mr. Burris perhaps should not have even accepted such an invitation by disgraced Governor Blagojevich. But I shutter to think of what may happen if we disregard the law in favor of politics or opinions.

What do you think?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree 110 percent. It's not only about the letter of the law, but the moral and ethical integrity of the decision.
I feel we are in a very important transitional period in our history as a country as well as a national leader. Others look to the US as model.
Allowing corrupt politicians to continously weaken an already fragile political system.

Judith Ellis said...

Great comment, Regina! Thank you.