Integrity

Define integrity. Dictionary.com would have us believe that integrity is defined in the following three ways:

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

There are many people in my life whom embody the definition of integrity. People in my personal and business life. They know who they are. They stand up for what they believe. Typically what is good and right. Typically what the first definiton lists above. Morality. Ethics. Let's for a moment concentrate on ethics.

Define ethics. Dictionary.com would have us believe ethics is defined in the following three ways:

1. a. A set of principles of right conduct.
b. A theory or a system of moral values: “An ethic of service is at war
with a craving for gain” (Gregg Easterbrook).
2. ethics (used with a sing. verb) The study of the general nature of morals
and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral
philosophy.
3. ethics (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The rules or standards governing
the conduct of a person or the members of a profession: medical ethics.

Let's concentrate on the third definition listed above. A profession. Would that profession include a politician. Typically it doesn't. Politicians are pretty slimy, well, most politicians. But as you probably have already guessed, I'm getting at something, or maybe someone in particular.

You know who you are. You know I'm talking about you. Inevitably, probably in about nine hours, you will be visiting this site and will have seen this post. You will comment and try to defend your actions. But we all know that there is no defense for what you did. Maybe that is why you no longer hold an elected position. Maybe that is why you were recalled outright. Every county supervisor at the time gave up their pension plan but you. An ill gotten pension plan. Why is that?

Maybe it's because you lack integrity. I'm sure that's what it is.

*A note to my readers. I know what you are thinking. A car salesman questioning one's ethics and integrity. Unfortunately I have received a reputation that had been handed down from car salesmen before me. Especially the car salesmen in the seventies. There is a difference here. This car salesman didn't vote to give himself a nice big fat pension. This car salesman didn't refuse to give it up like his counterparts. Ladies and gentlemen, you have met a bigger slimeball than me. He still resides in Milwaukee, Wi. and is awaiting his ill gotten money.