We all are fallible
Bakersfield Rotary Clubs conduct an annual ethics conference for high school students. Other organizations such as Scouting and Kern County Student Leadership -- to mention only two -- include an essential ethics dimension. Cal State Bakersfield's Kegley Institute for Ethics focuses on college students.
If we expect new generations to behave ethically, why do we in the "older generation" so frequently fail? God granted us "free will" -- the freedom to make choices. Not all of our choices meet ethical standards. We all are fallible humans -- including candidates for high office.
U.S. presidents have proven their ethical fallibility. Twentieth-century presidents offered far too many (unethical) examples and condoned far too much corruption in government -- yet most presidents led our nation without otherwise diminishing their performance.
What standard do we apply?
President Bill Clinton asked for forgiveness. Yet, as far as I can tell, he's never repented -- never changed his behavior. I hope I'm incorrect. Forgiveness works only if followed by repentance -- not just in words but in deeds .
That's the standard.
A change in Newt Gingrich's life seems to have occurred when he became a Roman Catholic several years ago. It purportedly changed his heart as well as his actions -- yet the "jury is still out."
Once we get beyond candidates' past ethical breaches -- with demonstrated evidence of repentance -- candidates can begin offering solutions to the extraordinary domestic and global challenges confronting us today. It's ethical leadership to solve these problems that we need in a president.
There's simply too much at stake.
John Pryor
Bakersfield
