Dec 20, 2007
There is no greater good than good government
by Tom Campbell - Asheville Citizen-Times

2007 is ending much as it began, with stories of corruption, abuse of power, unethical dealings and indictments from within our legislature. The lack of disdain and disgust from within the ranks of both members and leaders of the legislature leads one to question whether or not that body really understands the severity of the problems within their ranks or the huge loss of confidence among those whom they serve. The public needs to know lawmakers both understand and disapprove of the things that have been revealed. 
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To his credit, Speaker Joe Hackney is showing signs of recognition, even though coming late to the party. The 2006 ethics reforms passed by the legislature were a good first step, but weren’t followed by other significant steps. In fact, we were told legislators were weary of all the fuss over ethics and had no appetite to do more. 
 
Representative Thomas Wright’s six-count indictment is clear proof more reforms are needed. There is some evidence that more indictments of present and former members will be forthcoming, resulting in even more disgrace to our state and our legislature. 
 
There are lessons to be learned from these sad revelations. The first is that we must set clear and high standards for what is acceptable conduct from those who would serve the public. Perhaps we have all thought these standards of conduct understood by all. We now know that isn’t the case. So if we are to judge right and wrong we must spell out clearly what is and isn’t allowable and tolerable. 
 
We must all be vigilant and ask questions. As state budgets grew exponentially and campaign contributions increased to fund more costly political campaigns we should have known the big dollars increased the chances for abuses of power, self-dealing, and corruption. Common advice has always been to “follow the money,” but instead of increasing vigilance there is evidence that we, meaning legislators, the media, enforcement agencies, and the public, actually relaxed our oversight and corresponding demands for accountability and ethical conduct. 
 
There was and remains a club-like atmosphere in our legislature, where members don’t ask and don’t tell. We certainly do not expect nor want to lead with an attitude of distrust or disdain for elected or appointed government leaders but there needs to be a healthy level of honest questioning. When questionable practices are suspected we expect those in the club to immediately request investigation and, if guilt is established, action. We know there are good, honorable people in our legislature but they do not help themselves when they sit silently and allow unethical behavior. They may believe that a greater good is served when they go along in order to get their special projects or legislation for their districts but there is no greater good than good government. Those who do not speak out against abuse become of guilty of omission as much as those guilty of commission. 
 
The public trust is both a sacred and honorable thread that binds public servants to those they serve. To paraphrase former President John Kennedy, let the word go forth from this time and place that we have high expectations of those who would serve the public. We will not tolerate illegal or unethical conduct, self dealing or lack of honesty and openness. We have high expectations and we are watching. 
 
 
Tom Campbell is former assistant North Carolina State Treasurer and is creator/host of NC SPIN, a weekly statewide television discussion of NC issues airing Sundays at 6 a.m. on WLOS-TV. Contact him at www.ncspin.com