by Charlie H.

Created on: June 27, 2007

I'm not sure when or how any of this type of "gratuity" ever began in our political system, but I, for one, believe that NONE of it has any place in our government.

I worked for nearly 40 years in Corporate America, and each year I was required to sign a "code of ethics" agreement, stating that I would not accept any gifts or gratuities from vendors, contractors, suppliers with whom I may do business on behalf of the company...due to possible "conflicts of interest". Of course, I obediently complied with this requirement, simply to keep my job!

I could never understand why our politicians are not under similar restrictions when it comes to defining "possible conflicts of interest". How can "Joe Public" compete with "Corporate America" in the gift-giving scenario? How can "Joe Public" even be HEARD in the same venue and level of respect afforded to Corporate America? Truth is, he cannot. Unfortunately, money speaks much louder than anything else in Government it seems. "Truth" doesn't seem to matter much; neither does "honor/honesty"; nor does "integrity"; nor "humility"; nor "fairness"; nor "equity", etc., etc.

As the Information Age progresses, it is becoming more and more clear that average citizens are continuously being swindled by those in power. Today, I heard that previously "secret" documents were released, after fifteen years of waiting from the time the request was made. Seems a long time to wait for "truth"...and the "truth" in those documents is certainly not the kind of information which fosters a "warm & fuzzy feeling" toward some of our government practices. See http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN26362552 20070626

So, back to the original question: Should elected officials be allowed to take trips on corporate jets?
I don't think so. You know the old cliche, right?

"Give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile!"

We've seen it over and over and over again (indeed, seems every month another politician is called on the carpet for something 'unsavory').
I believe the only way to guarantee unbiased, objective political representation by elected officials is for them to be disallowed any gifts which would represent a potential conflict of interest.

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