I want to preface this article before I begin. I am in no way trying to make a political statement or do this about politics. But you have to admit that the current 2016 presidential race has provided a host of talking points when it comes to ethics.

I would like to address something very close to my heart and something I don’t take for granted, the subject of ethics and how it applies to our daily lives and businesses. In light of the massive media coverage of current political events, many feelings arise as to how far we might be willing to push our ethical standards to get what we want.

LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR! I am not interested in politics, but I am interested in the dialogue of ethical behavior. When someone can portray a disabled person in a derogatory light and get away with saying that they could shoot someone on the street and it would be okay, we have an ethical dilemma. When a public official can be given a free pass by violating our national security and the potential liberties of millions of patriots in our country with the poor judgment of an email server, the ethics behind such actions must be questioned.

Ask yourself a very simple question. Do you have the right to further your own purpose or cause at someone else’s expense, even if you believe it is for the greater good? Do you have the right to exploit others for your own benefit? Do you have the right to make decisions that may put others at risk?

From a business perspective, ethics drives all the decisions a company must make to be successful. We went into business to serve an underserved market, to provide a value-based service, to offer a unique product, and/or to provide jobs for many of our citizens. But we also do business to build a better life for our own families and the children to come.

So what are we to make of today’s media discourse and what is being said and action taking place on our national stage? I was shocked by Bernie’s comments (NOT an endorsement) at the opening night of the DNC convention. He stood firm in his principles, stood firm in his beliefs and remained proud of everything he believed in without belittling others, without insults, with a heart full of hope, just like all the followers. of the. He stood by his ethics, stood by how he wanted others to see him. This is a great example of a strong ethical standard, isn’t it? Who determines an ethical standard? Who is right and someone is wrong? Why do we see so much struggle when it comes to ethical behavior in today’s society?

I would say that ethics and ethical behavior are a measure of grades, a measure of one’s moral upbringing and upbringing. Ethics are different in different cities in this country (right or wrong), different between different cultures (right or wrong), different between different beliefs (right or wrong). The moral fabric of our belief system will determine our ethical behavior. I hope and pray that we can come to a common ground on what ethical behavior looks like, because chaos and anarchy could be on the horizon.

Stop for a moment and think about your actions. Ask yourself a simple question, are my beliefs and behaviors affecting the path I walk on this journey we call life, and have a deleterious effect on others? Let’s talk about this, please give your opinion.