1-8-2019
Ethics in Government
Everyone knows the fairy tale of Pinocchio who longed to be a boy and whenever he told a lie his nose grew longer. There are other fairy tales, stories and even movies about puppets and the marionettes. It’s fascinating to watch how the puppet master can maneuver the strings making the puppet seemingly come to life.
The events that have come to light over the past 2 years of the Trump Administration have shown how the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Congress, both the House and the Senate have literally played the American people, US Citizens, for fools by subjecting us to political side shows like the alleged sexual scandals and judicial nomination hearings that remind us of circus side shows.
The MSM have done their part in orchestrating the emphasis of non-issues into major talking points at the egging on by political mouthpieces like now Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others who grandstand in front of the cameras with an audience, thereby playing the antagonist in defaming our sitting President Donald Trump.
We The People have been sucked right into their play like audiences in the movies or readers of the fairy tales. So emboldened have we become that some have gone so far as to get in on the action by running for political office, and winning a coveted seat at the table of Congress. In the spirit of celebrating there are those like newly elected Representatives Rashida Tlaib with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who’s claim to fame is being the youngest person elected to Congress. These women and other seasoned members of Congress have not yet learned, have forgotten or have chosen to ignore Ethical standards which should govern our lives daily to treat others with respect.
GENERAL ETHICAL STANDARDS
Overview
Members, officers, and employees of the House should:
- Conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the
- House;
- Abide by the spirit as well as the letter of the House rules; and
- Adhere to the broad ethical standards expressed in the Code of Ethics for Government Service.
They should not in any way use their office for private gain. Nor should they attempt to circumvent any House rule or standard of conduct.
Employees must observe any additional rules, regulations, standards, or practices established by their employing Members.
The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct urges Members, officers, and employees of the House to call or to write the Committee with any questions regarding the propriety of any current or proposed conduct. The Committee‘s Office of Advice and Education will provide confidential, informal advice over the telephone, and the Committee will provide confidential, formal written opinions to any Member, officer, or employee with a question within its jurisdiction.
There are no words to justify making a public spectacle or setting a bad precedence or example especially when one choses to go into “Public Service” where the goal should be to make the nation better for the greater good of ALL American citizens.
That being said, did you know that there IS something we can do besides letting ourselves be sucked into this political game of shells?
There is the Office of Congressional Ethics which is charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct against Members, officers and employees of the U.S. House of Representatives. There are various state and federal agencies responsible for overseeing compliance with rules and regulations in their specific areas of government. They can also be found here: https://oce.house.gov/learn/related-resources
United States Federal Government Executive Branch
Office of Government Ethics: https://www.oge.gov/
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency: https://www.ignet.gov/
Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/
Federal Bureau of Investigations: http://www.fbi.gov
United States Federal Government Legislative Branch
Senate Select Committee on Ethics: http://ethics.senate.gov/public/
House of Representatives Committee on Ethics: http://ethics.house.gov/
Federal Election Commission: http://www.fec.gov/
United States Federal Government Judicial Branch
Judicial Conference’s Committee on Codes of Conduct:
http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/JudicialConference.aspx
U.S. States
State Ethics Oversight Agencies: http://www.ncsl.org/research/ethics/oversight-ethics-commissions-and-committees.aspx
For those who are unaware The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (https://www.oge.gov/) establishes standards of conduct for the executive branch, ensures transparency in government through financial disclosure, educates executive branch employees and promotes good governance.
New legislators undergo video training and must sign a document verifying they have done so. It is totally feasible that new legislators have not yet taken this training, but for seasoned legislators there can be no excuse for the conduct we see on a daily basis coming from the hill.
I urge you to do as I have done and write, email, text or tweet your U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to lodge your complaint EVERY TIME you see a member of Congress conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner. Then follow up by using the links above to the appropriate agency charged with oversight responsibility. – I am the Real Truckmaster!
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