Op Ed:
Wit, Wisdom, Will:
Depend On Ethical
Contract to Operate

System-Sabotage “Unacceptable” - Radical Reforms Demanded

Oregon.gov

(SALEM) - Democratic decision by representatives chosen for that purpose BY VOTE is the very beating-heart basis for any workable application of “the will of the people”. That painful principle is the peculiarly portentous radical, yet rational, conclusion of our Founders after long, concentrated consideration via the Federalist Papers. Its shaping impacts on governance worldwide drove the dialog, debates and democratic first-steps for this nation. Recently we wrote this short summary of what that really means for every soul in our nation today, surely more than ever before in our history: “The wisdom to put away the wily ones devouring democracy via their ongoing onslaughts and canny contrivances politically. “The wisdom to maintain our free press despite burgeoning corporate control threatening every open channel. “Then the wisdom to know how to do, eventually, what is right for the common wealth and the common man and woman.” Responses received indicate indelibly that Legislative responsibilities today are even more demanding than in 1776 -- and that the ultimate power conveyed by voter-choice should be more carefully guarded than ever before. “We need to recognize that there is a new form of nobility among us as dangerous as the kings and nobility of old. “This new nobility consists of a wealthy few who use their money to bankroll initiatives designed to perpetuate their wealth or power or to advance narrow social causes.” (See source-citation below.) Surely the same arrogant attitudes and selfish motivations which measured out “the full cup of revolution” in 1776 are still in play, given assaults and erosions suffered by our “American middle-class” still seeking an American Dream. Today it is the politician-gang perverting the common wealth necessities for private purposes; rather than aristocrats and the King seeking to tax and take for their own comforts; OR the corporate lobbyist piling on the persuasive proposals while flourishing provocative motivators --in a variety of forms as demanded for legal concealment and, perhaps, “memory control”. Some will even tell you that the Second American Revolution is already underway; as we retrieve ourselves from radical rule of the Far Right and the determined antidemocratic dissolutions of past decades; driven ever more ferociously by the perversion of corporate business purpose, clearly stated for charter acquisition; but then followed by abandonment of common wealth controls over that burgeoning private-profit business format. What characterizes governance at all levels in this nation during that time is the “easy-does-it” departure from the sharp and forceful demands of ethical responsibilities imposed by that fact of “election-to-represent”; by its very nature unavoidable and irretrievable when lost. That peculiarly-public choice carries with it inescapable and very heavy responsibilities not lightly or legally thrown aside; and surely not flexible for favorites and/or “friends”. Few politicians ever face the working end of an AK-47 when they depart from their sworn duty to act for the common wealth; rather than their own, or any other private interest, on any public decision within jurisdiction conferred by that vote. They must be held responsible and their actions made consequential for any sabotaging impact, intended or otherwise. That contract is very plainly understood by all-involved after 200 years of constant usage: “Each of us, as citizens, agrees to be governed by the will of the majority of other citizens on condition that the people we elect to govern in the name of the majority act in the best interests of all.” Surely the recent election-message sent to the incoming Legislature is unmistakable and compelling: The current status re ethical considerations at every level, involving heavy “transactional”-traffic; all too closely connected to “campaign contributions”; is no longer even partially acceptable. Rabid pursuit of dollar-driven influence on basic Legislative dialog, often leading to now-questionable decision over the past several decades, must come to a grinding halt. We can no longer afford the obvious malign shaping-impacts it has had on the very essentials of our Oregon lifestyle. If the Legislature does not now know that this must be its overriding and overwhelming own-action; and rapidly so; then “the will of the people” needs strong continued communication to every “member of the gang” returning to “the Salem Arena”; including especially the NON-elected surrounding sycophants so well-paid to pursue those-elected who MUST protect and serve the common wealth interests of all of us. The time has arrived for rapid response to that clearly- ringing declaration of the basic democratic contract we all know so well from our common school days: “Every elected member of governance is chosen to represent the will of the people; and To make sure that every decision is made for the common wealth and in the public interest.” Let’s get on with reestablishment of a strong, active, well-funded and well-staffed Oregon State Ethics Commission. (Source-note: See “Negating the premise of good government”, an Op Ed by John Minihan, president of Western Oregon University, in The OREGONIAN Edit Page 11/24/06. “See also”: OREGONIAN Edit “Don’t shy from real ethics reform” 11/27/06. PDFs available from HCR on request.)