Ethics

In response to Hailey Branham's interesting post.

Indeed it seems that our political system is rife with corruption and decay. With embezzlement cases, lobbyist bribery, and even sex scandals, our government is full of ethically questionable leaders. However it has always been this way.

Many Americans seem to reminisce about the Founding Fathers as pure and perfect individuals. Politicians always say they want to bring back the traditional good, honest America. But if you look through history, that America has only existed in the minds of generations long removed. In the Founding Father's time, slavery was legal; women had practically no rights; tarring and feathering people, without trial I may add, was considered normal and acceptable. In government, John Adam's election was practically bought in backroom politics; Jackson's election saw his supporters trash the White House then get appointed to government positions.

Yes today with technological advances in communications every little rumor and mishap is reported. Every slipup is immediately made a public scandal. Every politician is under extreme scrutiny. And so while it may be more apparent that there is corruption in our government, it does not mean that there is more now than before.

In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is less. Considering the amount of scrutiny that politicians today are under, even less ethical members are liable to clean up.

Dr. Kervorkian

A name long forgotten, Dr. Kervorkian has recently been in the media once more with an HBO movie with Al Pacino portraying the doctor. And while there is newfound focus on the man, his causes and issues too should be revisited. Euthanasia has long been a heavily debated and politicized topic. With Dr. Kervorkian's rather outlandish tactics, however, the practice seemingly died with his imprisonment.

But everyday there are still hundreds of terminal patients suffering without a way out. Many patients with excruciating pain from a plethora of diseases. What then should as tell them? That there are more important issues at the moment? For theses people there is no more pressing an issue.

Euthanasia is, in the greater scheme of things both a civil liberties and human right issue. Do as have the right to decide when our life ends? Is it cruel and inhumane to force a person to love in excruciating pain? Personally, I think it is both a right and the more humane thing to do. I think that thaw sufferers should be able to make a decision about their life with their best interests in mind. However you might have a different opinion, and other may have even different thoughts. And that's fine, that's why we live in a democracy. All I'm saying is that once more, for the sake of those suffering, we should talk about it.

Factions

In her article, Mary Alice touchs on one of the main problems of our current political system. Today's political atmosphere has become exactly what Madison warned against. Our country is run and divided by factions, Democrats and the GOP.

These two parties have had almost complete control of the country since the Civil War and have bred an atmosphere of exclusion and isolation. The last third party with an actual chance was probably the Republicans, yep, back in the day when they were a third party.

More frightening though is the fact that, especially recently, the parties are increasingly isolating themselves from the public. Policies are not decided based on what the public wants but on party lines. In the interest of fairness, both parties have been guilty of such actions. However, right now, it is quite clear that the Republicans are blatantly voting against any and all legislation posed by the Democratic leadership. Quite frankly, its disgraceful and a mockery of Democracy.

Someone *cough* voters *cough* needs to put an end to this.