Aaron Miller
Integrity matters. I can’t believe that needs saying, but apparently it does.
At every single level, whether it is township trustee, sheriff, governor, or President of the United States, we need people who can be trusted. Integrity is more important than any other single characteristic in a leader. It is more important than intelligence, charisma, strength, strategic vision, or any other quality.
It seems that we have a lot of people in places of public trust whose primary goal is to get rich or be a big shot. They will screw over their constituents, their employees, even their friends to line their pockets and get ahead. Rather than doing their job, to ostensibly help people, they want exotic vacations, titles, fancy cars, private education, and to live in a big house.
I fear the lack of integrity is more pervasive than what we think. I also know that there are many people being paid handsomely by the public who do almost nothing—while others see public service as a means to hire their relatives.
Recently, we have elected and promoted a lot of people to positions of power who had obvious character flaws. They cheated on their wives, ran businesses into the ground, and used their positions of power to enrich themselves. Some of them are not even hiding it, blatantly asking for bribes or telling supporters to buy something in exchange for influence. This has nothing to do with ideology; there are numerous examples from both sides of the political divide.
This also extends beyond the realm of politics. We need integrity in business, education, healthcare….in all facets of our lives. Integrity means doing what is right no matter what the personal cost is to you.
If you are not honest or transparent, I have no use for you. If you are a crook, I don’t care if we agree politically or not.
George Washington knew the importance of integrity when he helped found this nation. He warned about the dangers of corruption. In his Farewell Address, he said, “It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” Morality and virtue seem to be in short supply right now.
When someone violates our trust, the financial damage is devastating. But it also causes people to lose faith in the institutions we need to function as a society: the government, the media, financial markets and banks, even educational institutions. Once that trust is violated, it is so hard, if not impossible, to earn back.
You have to be careful. There are definitely wolves in sheep’s clothing out there. Someone can appear to be honest or to have our best interests at heart. They will have impressive credentials. They will shake your hand, say the right things, maybe even go to your church. They wrap themselves up in the flag and religion while professing to share our values. Then they betray us or rob us blind.
Maybe I missed out in life financially or professionally by not trying to fleece every single person I ever met. I don’t know how these people can look themselves in the mirror or sleep well at night. I’d rather live in a “van down by the river” to quote Chris Farley than give up my principles.
Aaron Miller is one of The Republic’s community columnists and all opinions expressed are those of the writer. He has a doctorate in history and is a free-lance writer. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
