Examine the behaviors of people long enough and they'll provide convincing evidence of the power of moral relativism.
Perhaps it's not even that, for the term suggests a view of morality based on one's cultural surroundings or of the times in which one lives. What we witness, particularly in the realm of politics, is a multitude of examples in which it seems a public servants claim a right to define for themselves what is moral or ethical. And their self-evaluation often comes after the public's discovery of questionable behaviors.
What’s the point?
Secretary of State Mark Martin’s “oversight” in financial reporting sets the wrong kind of example on transparancy in government.
Consider the case of Bob McDonnell, the former governor of Virginia. The Associated Press reported this week the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh whether he did improper favors for a businessman who gave the governor gifts -- a Rolex watch, golf trips -- and money for his daughter's wedding, among others. McDonnell was convicted of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from a wealthy businessman in exchange for promoting a dietary supplement through state contacts and functions. All of this, of course, took place secretly, until it was found out.
Nobody disputes the existence of the gifts and payments. But McDonnell's attorneys say he's being punished for simply doing what politicians routinely do -- arranging meetings for donors, taking their calls, listening to their ideas and referring them to others in state government. Prosecutors, however, say the businessman got special access and benefits in exchange for the financial help he provided McDonnell.
Does anyone doubt whether McDonnell and his wife would receive such expensive gifts had they not been the governor and first lady? Would the businessman have even considered such expenditures if not for the power of McDonnell's office?
Here in Arkansas, we have a more recent episode to demonstrate how politicians come to justify behaviors that simply don't pass the smell test (i.e., they stink). Secretary of State Mark Martin, in what a spokesman declared an oversight in the filing of his 2015 statement of financial interest, now reveals four foreign and state entities paid more than $20,800 for food, lodging and travel so Martin could venture to China, Ghana, Taiwan and New Orleans last year.
Martin amended his financial paperwork after the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette inquired about the trips and how they were paid for. Martin's spokesman -- Martin is usually unavailable to speak for himself -- said the secretary was confused by state disclosure rules. He amended the documents after a recent check with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
But here's what baffles: What's the purpose of keeping the financial reimbursements for those trips off the books? Why wouldn't it simply be assumed by an elected official who was transported, wined (or watered) and dined by foreign entities that such expenditures needed to be reported to the public?
It takes a certain ethical disability -- or even disinterest -- to convince oneself the public has no business knowing about such financial influences.
As a public official, why not just be up front about trips someone else is paying for instead of trying to parse the language of ethics laws to justify keeping these details secret? Martin didn't pay for the trips, and the only reason someone else did is because's he's Arkansas' secretary of state, in a position of some influence.
Martin's failure to reveal the information until someone started nosing around reflects, at best, poor judgment. One could also make a compelling case it was an effort to hide a $20,000 benefit to one of the state's constitutional officers.
If such trips serve a legitimate state purpose, a state official should feel no need to even ponder whether the financial details should be reported to the public. They should be.
Secretary Martin, whose office is the official repository for these kinds of financial filings and other crucial record-keeping, should be a shining example of transparency, not just another public official who looks like he's trying to put one over on the public he serves.
Commentary on 04/28/2016