Business Ethics, Occasionally Disappointing In Seattle
I think that no matter how strongly a contract is worded, or how careful one is, ultimately business must come down to trust. We must deal with each other honorably, and for business to be good we must trust that everyone else will deal with honor as well.
Here in the United States we are extremely successful materially in large measure because we can trust each other much more often than not, and in general we can trust that our government will not steal most of what we make or change the rules of business mid-stream too often.
A nation of business thieves, Russia comes to mind, will not be able to find our maintain large scale material progress because the Russian people can't trust the other guy to not rob him blind in any business deal. Hence the extreme wealth of some Russians contrasted with the shocking poverty of their neighbors.
Likewise a nation whose government does not respect the rule of law will always lag behind one ruled by a government that does. The United States and Mexico provide a prime example. In the United States we can know that we can save, invest, build a business, and be confident that the government will most likely not come along to steal it. On the other hand, Mr. Fox, the previous President of Mexico outlines in his book how the Government slowly stole the majority of the ranch started by his Grandfather, leaving Fox and family with only a small part of their previous land.
We must I think, as Americans, be ever watchful that we deal honorably with others, ensure that we only do business with those who deal honorably with us, and of course be wary of those politicians who advocate taking wealth from those who have earned it to undeservedly reward those who have not. This is how we protect and maintain our prosperity.
Why do I post this today? Because a merchant tried to cheat me recently. He didn't get away with it, but his ethics have certainly been on my mind.
Comments
In the USA today we experience creeping socialism. Our elected representatives, not unanimously but by majority, choose to take our possessions and use them as they please. Even though the voters could put a stop to it, we may be heading to a breaking point where that will not be possible. The Wall Street demonstrators, manipulated by community agitators such as ACORN, are of voting age and power. They want the government to provide a comfortable living for them at our expense. The media supports that view by making it appear that this is what the American public wants. Mister Fox's sentiments apply here. The government is taking without recourse.
Posted by: Susan's pet | October 30, 2011 3:14 PM
Susan's pet,
I think that you and I share a fear that at some point it will be impossible to turn around.
M
Posted by: Milliscent | October 30, 2011 5:34 PM
Ethics seems to have disappeared long ago here in the USA. Witness the real estate collapse of 2008 and beyond. It has become a nation of greed; whoever dies with the most toys wins. It's easy to criticize the government for "stealing" what we make, but when most of what is made is done so unethically, that criticism is misplaced. Many people (not businesses) saved their hard-earned dollars to buy a home, only to see their dream vanish in the past few years. The right wing's solution is to let the market hit bottom so that "investors" can purchase the real estate and turn things around (see Mr. Romney's recent suggestions). Government is far from the problem these days. Happy Halloween.
Posted by: RW | October 30, 2011 8:03 PM
RW,
I must disagree regarding government. Certainly government is a problem. As are corporations, and individuals.
Government should not be taking from those who earn and save to give to those who don't bother.
Corporations should not be endeavoring, often successfully, to suck up corporate welfare or improperly evading corporate responsibilities.
Likewise however, individuals must keep their promises. When one signs a loan promising to pay back money in exchange for a house, one can't complain if that house is taken away because payments were not made.
We must all, government, corporations, and individuals, live up to our responsibilities.
M
Posted by: Milliscent | November 5, 2011 4:19 PM
Ms Milliscent
Big bad government , Big bad buisness , all stompin on the little fella. You hit the nail on the head however. In the end it is individuals making choices based on their principals.
I was going to comment earlier but these types of things just get me down and my thoughts cascade.
In the end it is really not so much about money as it is power , and the ego boost that comes with it and its just plain wrong.
The power to tell some one what car they will drive , how they will use water , and what they can or cannot do with their property , and the list is way to long to recap. No jobs are available simply because we are unable to do anything any more without years of study, and billions spent.
Any how as i said , these types of arguments always make me recall that in the end it comes down to each of us individually and i wanted to share some words from a personal hero of mine.
" The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is the test of a true gentleman .
The power which the strong have over the week, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, even the clever over the silly - the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in plain light.
The gentleman does not needlessly and un necessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have commited against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget, and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of nature which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be but the past.
A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others"
Any how i am out of time and have to get back at it, keep up the good work mistress.
Posted by: Fredrick | November 14, 2011 12:59 PM
Fredrick,
Thank you for your comment, I appreciate your words about gentlemanly behavior and certainly they apply to gentlewomen as well.
M
Posted by: Milliscent | November 26, 2011 11:35 AM