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**xanaxonlinexanax** · 02-23-2009, 12:18 AM

There are 150 members of the New York State Assembly and 62 Senators. There are 19 million of us. They are seriously outnumbered.

I disagree. We can fix Albany. It is not an impossible task. A serious ethics law is the first step. No meaningful reform will come out of Albany until a real ethics law is passed. Everything else will flow from that. Here is how we can force them to enact a serious ethics law.

I am at 'common cause' here with you: but have a few reservations about how - and if - what you propose, can be achieved.

How do we (or the Womans League,ect.) go about codifying ethical norms?

Many acts that I myself would condemn as unethical are not - and could not on a practical basis - be prohibited by law; so I doubt that codifying into law how members of government interact with each other can be either 'clearly defined' or 'enforced'.

Another obstacle to legislating morality and resolving ethical disputes will always come down to the inevitable dilemma of whose ethics are we going to legislate into the law-of-the-land: your ethics, or my ethics. Your worldview, or mine. Your mindset, or mine. Your point-of-view, or mine.

Will whatever the drafters of this bill at the Womans League 'actually' be good for the individual and for society, can it effectively define and establish the duties that our government owe to 'the people'.

I am of the opinion that ethical behavior in society can only be effectively established on a prescriptive basis, and it is for that reason alone, I do sometimes wish society would go back to the days when religion was the sole custodian of 'morality & ethics'. I am not ready for that of course: but we were once pretty much a 'faith-based' society not so long ago, and perhaps that's one reason why even the classical architecture we produced was better - let alone our politicians.

I am hopeful (but skeptical) about your idea of creating an 'ethical culture' in local government that can be made both legally binding and enforceable by 'the people'; I would gladly support your efforts - just show me where to sign-up.

Cheers.

02-23-2009, 12:18 AM	#4
xanaxonlinexanax Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 540 Senior Member	There are 150 members of the New York State Assembly and 62 Senators. There are 19 million of us. They are seriously outnumbered. I disagree. We can fix Albany. It is not an impossible task. A serious ethics law is the first step. No meaningful reform will come out of Albany until a real ethics law is passed. Everything else will flow from that. Here is how we can force them to enact a serious ethics law. I am at 'common cause' here with you: but have a few reservations about how - and if - what you propose, can be achieved. How do we (or the Womans League,ect.) go about codifying ethical norms? Many acts that I myself would condemn as unethical are not - and could not on a practical basis - be prohibited by law; so I doubt that codifying into law how members of government interact with each other can be either 'clearly defined' or 'enforced'. Another obstacle to legislating morality and resolving ethical disputes will always come down to the inevitable dilemma of whose ethics are we going to legislate into the law-of-the-land: your ethics, or my ethics. Your worldview, or mine. Your mindset, or mine. Your point-of-view, or mine. Will whatever the drafters of this bill at the Womans League 'actually' be good for the individual and for society, can it effectively define and establish the duties that our government owe to 'the people'. I am of the opinion that ethical behavior in society can only be effectively established on a prescriptive basis, and it is for that reason alone, I do sometimes wish society would go back to the days when religion was the sole custodian of 'morality & ethics'. I am not ready for that of course: but we were once pretty much a 'faith-based' society not so long ago, and perhaps that's one reason why even the classical architecture we produced was better - let alone our politicians. I am hopeful (but skeptical) about your idea of creating an 'ethical culture' in local government that can be made both legally binding and enforceable by 'the people'; I would gladly support your efforts - just show me where to sign-up. Cheers.
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