Philosophy Now Forum

It would be nice if we could tell how ethical a candidate for public office is before we vote them in.

Here are some suggested questions we might ask of a candidate in the U.S.A. These are about policies, ethical policies, rather than about theory of Ethics. Of course I am aware that what they say may not be reliable, but many of them want to know what their constituents believe so that they will know what to support; they have "their finger in the wind - to see which way the wind is blowing." They want to know that we are behind them, and will campaign for them; we want to know if they stand for something worth supporting with our time, energy, and money ...at least with OUR VOTE.

So if I am at a rally or a meet-up where a candidate will be attending, I would go up to that individual and ask him or her the following:

You know, I could vote for you ...but first I'd like to know where you stand on some issues. Okay? Are you devoted to attaining public financing of elections?

Will you commit to busting up concentrations of power, including monopolies?

Will you, on personal principle, absolutely promise me that you will strive to resist the pressure of lobbyists, and their bribery, if they attempt to persuade you to do something that violates the public interest? -- Don't promise anything if you don't mean it !!

Will you pledge to support the rapid introduction of clean, green, renewable energy in every way you possibly can?

Would you support a world court that would mediate disputes early before they get out of hand?

How do you feel about passing legislation that might have some influence on the educational curriculum, so that young pupils and students were taught ethical values in school and thus get a well-rounded education?

Would you vote to spend money to put people to work, say on infra-structure projects, (or even as telephone operators who would personally answer calls - so that folks hear a human voice instead of a robot when they make a call)?

Is there anything in your past record to show that you have implemented policies that put people first - before things and numbers - and thus are likely to follow through on those points to which you answered "Yes"?


What do the rest of you think? Isn't it smart to screen a candidate before voting for him/her? Don't we want the kind of person who stands for ethical policies? Is there a better way of determining where they stand - than looking at their past achievements and asking some pointed questions?

Can you suggest any other issues to probe them on? Let's hear from you!


AND IF YOU LIVE IN THE U.S.A. BE SURE TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER. Vote early if possible: don't wait for Election Day !

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"Who owns you, baby?"

Skip wrote:"Who owns you, baby?"

prof wrote:It would be nice if we could tell how ethical a candidate for public office is before we vote them in.

• Q: Are you ethical?
  A: Yes.
  Q: How ethical are you?
  A: Very! Much more than my opponent. He's totally unethical.
  Q: Are you telling me the truth?
  A: Of course I am. As a very ethical politician, I never tell lies.
  Q: Thank you. Then I'll happily vote for you.

Prof, can you see any problem with that dialogue? Here's a hint—Bob McDonnell was just a good guy. Staff called him “Mr. Honest.” Republicans in Washington called him “the Boy Scout.”

prof wrote:It would be nice if we could tell how ethical a candidate for public office is before we vote them in.

Here are some suggested questions we might ask of a candidate in the U.S.A. These are about policies, ethical policies, rather than about theory of Ethics. Of course I am aware that what they say may not be reliable, but many of them want to know what their constituents believe so that they will know what to support; they have "their finger in the wind - to see which way the wind is blowing." They want to know that we are behind them, and will campaign for them; we want to know if they stand for something worth supporting with our time, energy, and money ...at least with OUR VOTE.

So if I am at a rally or a meet-up where a candidate will be attending, I would go up to that individual and ask him or her the following:

You know, I could vote for you ...but first I'd like to know where you stand on some issues. Okay? Are you devoted to attaining public financing of elections?

Will you commit to busting up concentrations of power, including monopolies?

Will you, on personal principle, absolutely promise me that you will strive to resist the pressure of lobbyists, and their bribery, if they attempt to persuade you to do something that violates the public interest? -- Don't promise anything if you don't mean it !!

Will you pledge to support the rapid introduction of clean, green, renewable energy in every way you possibly can?

Would you support a world court that would mediate disputes early before they get out of hand?

How do you feel about passing legislation that might have some influence on the educational curriculum, so that young pupils and students were taught ethical values in school and thus get a well-rounded education?

Would you vote to spend money to put people to work, say on infra-structure projects, (or even as telephone operators who would personally answer calls - so that folks hear a human voice instead of a robot when they make a call)?

Is there anything in your past record to show that you have implemented policies that put people first - before things and numbers - and thus are likely to follow through on those points to which you answered "Yes"?


What do the rest of you think? Isn't it smart to screen a candidate before voting for him/her? Don't we want the kind of person who stands for ethical policies? Is there a better way of determining where they stand - than looking at their past achievements and asking some pointed questions?

Can you suggest any other issues to probe them on? Let's hear from you!


AND IF YOU LIVE IN THE U.S.A. BE SURE TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER. Vote early if possible: don't wait for Election Day !

.

Unfortunately the ethics of political candidates is as large as the serial numbers found in a corporatist cheque book.

Prof, you have a serious political problem in the form of ruling corporatist elites. The questions you want to ask candidates is superfluous. They cannot deliver even if they wanted to.

My (only) question for potentials: if elected, will you leave me be?

.

Most of those who wrote replies seem to be overlooking this question:


Is there anything in your past record to show that you have implemented policies that put people first - before things and numbers - and thus are likely to follow through...?

In that question I teach the individual some Ethics - and I request concrete evidence of an ethical life.

I admitted at the outset that politicians lie, so all that lecturing about how mendacious they are was superfluous. Did I need to be reminded about it right after I said that their words are not reliable - in the beginning of my fourth sentence. Folks ought to read more carefully!

[This topic is not about me. It's about screening candidates for public office. Once elected, they are not as powerless as some are making them out to be. True, they tend to answer the phone personally when a big donor calls rather than when anyone else does, but that is understandable as long as we haven't worked to implement Campaign Finance Reform.

If you ask a politician what Skip recommends you ask, that politician will never ever give you even a second of their time. ....won't even tell you the time as a courtesy. You are then on their blacklist !!


On a more positive note: Dr. Dyer reminds us that "Your behavior is a much better guide to who you are than your words." Listen to his common wisdom HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G5RUBjrMZo

That being so, run a check on the candidate's earlier life to see how he or she has evolved. Have they ever expressed a progressive thought or urged an action that enhances the lives of common people? Is there any reason to believe that they may continue to act that way? Do some research before you vote. Be sure to exercise your right to vote, though! For if you don't you are voting in a way for someone else to run your life and make the vital decisions that affect your life.

prof wrote:.

Most of those who wrote replies seem to be overlooking this question:


Is there anything in your past record to show that you have implemented policies that put people first - before things and numbers - and thus are likely to follow through...?

In that question I teach the individual some Ethics - and I request concrete evidence of an ethical life.

if you are asking a politician for evidence of a virtuous life then no doubt you are talking virtue ethics. However, you are really asking him/her for evidence for two distinct normative positions rather than just one. Personal virtue may not have nothing to do with public policy. It can, but this doesn't have to be the case. In fact a number of different normative positions may be required to satisfy public policy.


P.S.
"Citizens United" has put an end to any hope of implementing campaign finance control.

One has to be utterly stupid if one believe that what ordinary people ask a president will have any effect.

Presidents are puppets for big corps and orginasations, voters/PR and money are what motivates these puppets.

HexHammer wrote:....Presidents are puppets...

HexHammer has spoken.

Ginkgo wrote:... "Citizens United" has put an end to any hope of implementing campaign finance control.

Why not put an end to "Citizens United"?

Sign up at: https://movetoamend.org/

Get involved !

Is there anything in your past record to show that you have implemented policies that put people first - before things and numbers - and thus are likely to follow through...?

Yes, their past record is important, but this question doesn't need to be put to the candidate, and I, for one, would prefer to find the answer myself by examining the records.

People - including politicians - don't care what you believe until they believe that you care !

The real threat is the living dead - people who don't care any more - people who say, for example, "It won't work," "It can't be done," "You can't combat poverty," "There will always be poor -- so don't bother."


Here is another way to get involved: Set up a Community Action Network, based upon this model: http://canannarbor.org/
For details as to how to get started, see http://www.communityactionpartnership.com/


Yes, mickthinks, you are correct. Though it's not an either/or matter. One may do both, check the record, and then bring that evidence up with the candidate to show that you are knowledgeable as you spell out further implications based upon that background for possible future action by the candidate.

Another alternative is to run for office yourself ...and remember what you learned about Ethics - as you work to put it into practice.

"Most of those who wrote replies seem to be overlooking this question: Is there anything in your past record to show that you have implemented policies that put people first - before things and numbers - and thus are likely to follow through...?"

I didn't overlook that question...I just don't care about it.

Again: my only question to any potential is, 'if elected, will you leave me be?'

I could not care less about 'people first'.

I just want to be left alone (I don't need directing, protecting, educating, enlightening, securing, or coddling).

I want elected and appointed folks to leave me be and 'do' what they're supposed to, which is, be 'proxies' (in essence [metaphorically], I want them to cut the lawn and stay the hell out of my house).