| Over recent decades we have
seen people and institutions get away with inappropriate consequences for their
actions. Various forms of misbehavior have resulted in no meaningful punishment,
with the result that society has given tacit approval --- in fact, explicit approval ---
of lying, cheating, criminal acts, and obfuscation followed by excuse-making. Think
of O. J. Simpson (perhaps murder), Bill Clinton (perhaps lying and proving that it really
does depend upon what the meaning of 'is' is), Pete Rose (perhaps gambling and lying), the
S & L institutions and key players (perhaps stealing money and arranging for the
government to pay it back), and more. Today, if we observe closely and think, we see that the regime of
"I Can Get Away With It" behavior is ending. Arthur Andersen & Co.,
once the most respected name in its field, essentially does not exist and the name is a
metaphor for irresponsible accounting practice. Sometimes, somewhere a person gets
punished for driving through a red light (but perhaps killing someone else first....)
A mistake that may not have caused disaster
before might now explain what caused the space shuttle Columbia to disintegrate.
Will our culture disintegrate as did that of ancient Greece or will we straighten up and
fly right? |
|
|
| 1. Pete Rose got
away with lying about his gambling, was barred for life from baseball and the Hall of
Fame, but is likely to soon be admitted to the Hall of fame if he admits he was guilty of
gambling on baseball teams. This is an example of inadequate consequences. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 2. Many
individuals and institutions abused the S & L system in the 1980's and ended up having
government insurance, the FDIC, cover the losses they caused. Some individuals lost
their jobs and some went to jail. Overall, this is an example of inadequate
consequences. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 3. O. J. Simpson
was involved in the murder of two people. These two people were killed using unique,
violent throat-cutting techniques used by Navy Seals in military missions. O. J.
Simpson had just completed a version of Navy Seal training for his upcoming movie about
Navy Seals. In the criminal case, a jury of his
peers took an hour to decide that he was not guilty. A civil trial jury found him
guilty. Today, he is free and is often involved in minor altercations. This is
an example of inadequate consequences. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 4. Clinton,
while president, was found guilty of more mischief than we need to list here. When
questioned under oath, he responded, That it depends what the meaning of 'is'
is." This is an example of inadequate consequences. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 5. I am guilty
of the following offenses. |
I intentionally drive
through red lights when I feel like it
I intentionally drive
through stop signs when I feel like it
I have lied to people I work with
I have lied to my spouse
I have cheated a friend |
|
| 6. If you
checked any of the categories in the previous question, have you yet suffered any
consequences? |
Yes
No |
|
| 7. In war,
the best qualified and most brave die in battle because they are selected or volunteer to
go out on dangerous missions. In combat it is therefore often those top-notch people
who die in battles. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 8. Often the
most severe consequences are suffered by the least guilty of perpetrating the situation. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 9. The last
few decades have weakened the character of our culture. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 10. Today
appropriate consequences are beginning to be imposed for inappropriate actions. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 11. Some of the
long-term consequences for excesses, greed and ignorance of recent decades will be felt in
economic deflation represented by lost jobs, lower wages, lower stock prices, and
decreasing real estate values. |
Agree
Disagree |
|
| 12. I am: |
Female
Male |
|
| 13. My age group
is: |
Under 20
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70 & older |