Discussion Topic:  What happens in ife when you are working and your to humane, and care about the needs of your co-workers and safety..you are considered a Democrat..If you care about Big Business measures and what they want...then you are considered Republican..if you do nothing..your are Liberal....If you pick and choose certain people your conservative..if you become selfish and do only for your betterment... you are the cream of the crop!  No hassels, no threats that you want to move up..just plain brain dead..this is what the Big Boys want..Do not ask questions and do what your told...Nothing more..do not dare offer articulate answers or you are out...So what is America.........................................................................I think we need to rehire some dancers, and the old bagpipes, and some country music and have a rally and put Biker's Up as the show Stopper!  Let see what big business will do for the little guy the next time he crosses the Biker family!  maybe we need  a new Union!   

First there is a conflict between those who are ethical, and those who feel you should not talk about what goes on in business, even if it means we are wasting money and it is affecting our clients.  I have read an economic article about the difference between what Jews believe in this regard vs. what Christians believe, and now that I worked in big busines, I know that those who speak up are the ones who lose their jobs.  I would like to know what happened to the four women who were on the cover of  Time magazine, when the Enron scandle broke.  Are they successfully employed today?

I was raised to believe that I was responsible for my own success or failure. That I was responsible to support myself. That I could blame no one for my mistakes or poor decision making. That laziness and excuses were unacceptable. I was told if I worked hard enough there was nothing I couldn't accomplish. I was raised to have a healthy respect for education and continuing education and to always put in a fair days work. I am 40 years old. I put myself through college and paid my college loans for 8 years doing without other things I wanted. I have never been out of work (was laid off once in my 20 year career and had another job before unemployment benifits ran out). I have never collected any type of assistance. I have never gone backwards in position or pay. I  now own my own business, make my own hours, decide how many vacation or sick days I need. These ethics have served me well and I have passed them on to my daughters.

I think you did the right thing, my parents taught me the same way, and I worked my way up and was recruited from job to job for 21 years until a reorganization after 9/11 when I was called and complemented for my work and told that they wanted me to pick up more responsibility.  Since I had just laid off two people in my department of 10, I explained that I was already working 10 hours a day, and taking work home, so what was in it for me, I was told they would have to cut me by $35,000 dollars.  I told them at that point it is not worth it for me to work, I have three children and pay a nanny, my husband was working for them as well, and with the two incomes we were in a 40% tax bracket; when the nanny makes more than me it does not make sense for me to work.  The response, "Your severance is in HR, go there."  That was it, I was gone that day.  I know my manager is still there and she has not had an increase since I left in 2002.  She makes $40,000, and they have the department down to two people.  That is big business.  So we ask, what is wrong with the economy?

I believe by focusing on oneself, you find what makes you happy, thus have the ability to serve all parties.  Finding inner-contentment and provided you are being true to your personality, you find it's not about how others act or what other people do in certain situations-everything you do is a direct reflection of you.  Regardless of party politics, in today's economy, no one is truly looking out for you-haven't the political debates clearly identified the candidates are and have always been, looking out for themselve?  It would be an interesting study to identify the psyche and traits that lure specific personalities to a political career.  You are the only person that knows what drives your happiness and as long as you're willing to treat others with the same level of respect, life will happen despite our attempts to control.  Ethics is a question of experience and values driven by outcomes.  Until we as a society agree upon ethcis, it is difficult to hold another accountable for their ethical lapses when a standard has been questioned, especially in the new Internet age.  More and more people are offering compelling arguments to live by their standards.  Personally, I do not believe in religion, but believe the foundation in religious texts offer incredible guidance when seeking an ethical standard. 

I have good work ethics. But I work with many young people who do not. It is a delicate balancing act when we work with people who just do not care. And it is dangerous to get in "other people's business". Most of us work to provide a good living for our family. Some companies punish the messenger and not the doer of the bad deeds. Does it make sense? No, but many employers just want the job done as cheaply as possible without conflict. It is a complex issue at times. I want my job so I have had to look the other way often when I see things that are not truly my responsibility. Do I like this? No, but I am here for the money and benefits. If I cause trouble my money and benefits will be gone. I call this Reality 101.