BUSINESS ETHICS OF- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Why talk about ethics? In the aftermath of major corporate failures and questionable accounting practices, American Accounting Association President G. Peter Wilson said that in the classroom, educators need to increasingly emphasize the value of integrity

"We Will Not Lie, Steal Or Cheat, Nor Educational Institutions have established ethics codes for their students, e.g. the U.S. Air Force Academy: "We Will Not Lie, Steal Or Cheat, Nor Tolerate Among Us Anyone Who Does"

Is there an ethics crisis in America? One recent national election day poll indicated that 56 percent of voters thought that America’s problems are “primarily moral and social.” Only 36 percent thought that the nation’s problems were “primarily economic.”

Can ethics be taught? Teddy Roosevelt said, “To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”

More than 200 years ago, Professor Alexander Tyler wrote of the Athenian Republic “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government… These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith, to great courage, to abundance, to selfishness, to complacency, to apathy, to dependency, and back again to bondage.”

U.S. Declaration of Independence The second paragraph of America's founding document states: "We hold these truths to be self‑evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Where Do We Start? Upon What Can We Agree?

Whether we derive a code of ethics from religious beliefs, a study of history and literature, or personal experience and observation: We can all agree upon some basic values.

Be sure you are right, then go ahead. Davy Crockett 1786-1836

Cal Thomas, The Death of Ethics in America If we want to produce people who share the values of a democratic culture, they must be taught those values and not be left to acquire them by chance. Cal Thomas, The Death of Ethics in America

“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” Abraham Lincoln

“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage “To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.” (Confucius)

‘The right way is not always the popular and easy way ‘The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.’ - Margaret Chase Smith, first woman elected to both houses of the U.S. Congress

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.” General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. Japanese proverb

President Lincoln said: Honor is better than honors.