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.