by Gerald Davis

Created on: March 17, 2009

When we enter the voting booth to vote for an elected official to represent us, we place that vote based on what we know of that candidates values and how those values reflect the values that we hold. We put our trust in that person to uphold the values for which they received their vote. We expect that leader to be of the highest integrity in representing us, the voter. That elected official must be held to a higher accountability of honesty and integrity because of the grave responsibility that we voters have bestowed upon them and the great influence that we have allowed them to have by receiving our votes.

An elected official becomes a reflection of the electorate that voted them in. When an elected official acts in a manner that is less than honorable or even illegal, it becomes a reflection on society as a whole. Our standing as a community, county, district, state and country is viewed by others through how responsibly our elected official conducts himself publicly, and to some degree privately as well. An elected officials actions can have great influence when it comes to promoting jobs and infrastructure to the areas they represent. On a national scale, it tells the rest of the world whether or not we are trustworthy as a people and honest in our dealings.

Whether it is an international treaty being passed, or a local ordinance being proposed, the honesty and integrity of the elected officials involved will have a great influence on the outcomes of such items. If we are not seen as being shining examples of truth and justice, our standing falls in the eyes of others, and with it, the success or failure of the things our elected officials are trying to accomplish.

We should expect our representatives to be honest and law abiding people. We should expect that they conduct their public and private lives with the highest standards of integrity. It is but a foreshadowing of how a person will conduct themselves in public life if they cannot live a private life holding to the same values. If they cheat on their taxes, would it not be easy to assume that they might cheat on a budget? If they mishandle their private financial affairs, how can they be trusted to handle the financial affairs of those they represent? If they can't be faithful to their spouses, how can we believe they will remain faithful to those values they espoused that gained our vote?

Yes, politicians should be held to a higher standard than most people because the stakes are higher. They should be held to a higher standard because the consequences are higher. They should be held to a higher standard because the responsibilities are greater. They should be held to a higher standard because we the people have put our trust in them to be representatives of our values and ethics. To whom much is given, much is expected.

Learn more about this author, Gerald Davis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.