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Archive for October, 2008
« Previous EntriesHow will the next President handle the war in Iraq?
Friday, October 31st, 2008With less than a week before the election, it’s time for American voters to choose between the candidates for President. Many of my prior posts on ethical issues facing the next President have focused on economic and domestic topics. Today, let’s look at some of the ethical issues the next President will face concerning the [...]
Is it ethical for other industries to lobby for Wall Street bailout funds?
Thursday, October 30th, 2008Now that the $700 billion that Congress and the White House approved to bail out Wall Street is officially available for distribution, it’s probably not surprising that other industries are coming forward, hat in outstretched hand, to ask for a piece of the pie. Life insurance companies, auto industry representatives, and almost anybody else who can [...]
Is it ethical for doctors to prescribe placebos?
Monday, October 27th, 2008Last week, the British Medical Journal published the surprising results of a new survey of American doctors concerning the use of placebos, harmless vitamins or over-the-counter painkillers that work because a patient thinks they will. According to the Journal, almost half of the doctors surveyed reported that they prescribe placebos two or three times a [...]
What budget cuts will the next President make?
Saturday, October 25th, 2008Our nation is facing over $1 trillion in debt in the coming year. Yes, I’m including the $700 billion Wall Street bailout - our leaders have committed us to pay the money, so I think it counts as debt regardless of what the politicians want to call it. Consequently, it was disheartening that Senators McCain and [...]
$700 billion for the bailout, but NOTHING for enforcement?
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008NPR reported this morning that the FBI has begun investigating the financial crisis on Wall Street, and has already started uncovering instances of subprime mortgage lending fraud. That’s no surprise, because we already know that loans were being made to homeowners who couldn’t possibly afford to pay them. The good news is that the FBI is bringing [...]
USA Today Explains Why Wall Street CEOs Haven’t Apologized
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008USA Today’s Del Jones has published an article speculating about why Wall Street CEOs have failed to apologize for the financial crisis gripping the nation. Jones has several theories. First, there’s enough blame to go around between the government and Wall Street to allow CEOs to disclaim responsibility for the mess. Second, both CEOs and [...]
What ethical obligations do journalists have?
Monday, October 20th, 2008Last week, I wrote a post critiquing coverage of the Presidential campaign, arguing that the news media have focused too much on entertaining trivia and too little on the candidates’ positions. Chris commented in response that the press would probably argue that “they are providing what the viewers want.” His comment, and observations from Chris [...]
What’s the next President’s position on abortion?
Friday, October 17th, 2008Continuing my series on ethical issues facing the next President, let’s step away from economics and turn to one of the most divisive social issues in America today: abortion. During Thursday’s final debate, Senators McCain and Obama were asked if they would impose a “litmus test” on Supreme Court nominees with regard to the most [...]
Congressman Mahoney’s apology falls flat
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008Florida Congressman Tim Mahoney is not having a good day. AOL News reports that the married Congressman was called to address claims that he’d had an affair with a former aide. Mahoney issued a public statement “taking full responsibility” for the embarrassment and heartache he had caused his wife and daughter. Not bad … until [...]
How effective is your company’s ethics training?
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008Last Thursday’s episode of “The Office” featured an absolutely hilarious spoof of corporate ethics seminars. From the opening moments of trainers singing “let’s get ethical” to the tune of Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s Get Physical,” the show lampooned just about every aspect of how ethics training can go awry. Escalating confessions during the “immunity period,” an [...]
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