• A common sense reading • When will we get it? A common sense reading To be faced with an ethical dilemma is not fun. It should be avoided if possible. The framers of our County Charter understood the likelihood
• A common sense reading • When will we get it?
A common sense reading
To be faced with an ethical dilemma is not fun. It should be avoided if possible. The framers of our County Charter understood the likelihood of ethical dilemma to occur for those who volunteer on the Board of Ethics, and so placed 13 words (Section 20.02D) in the County Charter as an attempt to avoid the problem.
If your livelihood or source of funding depends upon decisions made by a group of people, it is difficult to fairly investigate and pass judgment on one of those people. You would face a complex situation of mental conflict, because you are sitting in judgement of the very people you need support from. This is one example of an ethical dilemma.
In a complex society, many of us are faced with these difficult moral decisions between right and wrong that try one’s character. The best advice is to avoid being in the middle of an ethical dilemma if at all possible. One could recuse, or excuse, oneself from the decision-making process, but a primary function of the members of the Board of Ethics is to investigate complaints against county officers and employees. This is a serious task, likely to lead to complex investigations and to excuse oneself is to be derelict in the duty.
Admittedly, no member of the Planning Commission was under investigation at the time one of the members of the Board of Ethics resigned. Admittedly, no member of the County Council was under direct investigation at the time a couple of members of the Board of Ethics resigned. However, the potential of the ethical dilemma was so prevalent, that was the only choice for those volunteers whose financial roles were tied directly to government decision-makers.
Yet, our county needs active, thoughtful volunteers to assist with the tasks of oversight and managing our government, which is why these board and commissions are put into place. A goal is to provide a more open, honest and accountable local government. It can be rewarding to provide the service, and it is much appreciated. If these functions were not met our government could deteriorate.
After retirement or change in economic situation, all of those who resigned should consider returning and accept appointment to public service. Most unfortunate was the one ethical “whistleblower” who, in pointing out the problem, was not reappointed to the Ethics Board. People of courage are needed in public service.
The Jan. 19 TGI article “Ethics Board takes big steps” states a proposed rule is being drafted for consideration to attempt to clarify 20.02D. The public hearing on the topic is set for March.
Most of us will have to face moral and ethical dilemmas throughout life, as they occur in all professions including accounting, law, health care, teaching, and all types of business. Sometimes, what is called our “common sense” fails us, and a poor choice can be destructive on one’s career and personal life.
Nobody knowingly steps into a cow-pie, and if a field is full of them the chances of clean shoes at day’s end are unlikely. A specific course is offered to teach how to avoid or deal with the likelihood of a moral dilemma would be helpful. A facilitated, comprehensive review of potential ethical dilemma is recommended for all government commissioners and board volunteers.
Carol Bain, Puhi
When will we get it?
Ten years ago I sent a rather detailed letter, with supporting data, to all members of the County Council, predicting the price of crude oil would exceed $75 per barrel by the end of the decade.
I also predicted that would cause economic turmoil. The purpose was to highlight the need for faster implementation of alternative energy sources. At the time oil was $15.
Needless to say I received polite dismissal of this prediction from both the council and members of the general public. A couple of inevitable letters about how there is enough oil for 10,000 years hit the press.
Even I did not foresee the rise to almost twice that number, but, in 2008, the world economy melted down two months after oil hit $147 per barrel. I do not believe that the price of oil was the cause of the meltdown; toxic financial instruments did that. High oil prices, and the demand destruction thus created, supplied the tipping point.
The same data and people, who allowed me to accurately make that prediction, now lead me to another. Ten years from today, the world will be producing, and therefore using, 25 percent less liquid fuels than we do today. There are many reasons for this, some geological, some economic, which I will not get into here. Since capitalism requires growth, and growth, to date, has always required more cheap energy, I am, therefore, very pessimistic about our economic future.
There are far too many variables to accurately predict what this will mean with any precision, but I can guarantee it will not be business as usual, or as we knew it a couple years ago.
I don’t wish to leave the impression that the situation we are in had to be this way. There are things we could have done and perhaps still can do, alternatives we could develop. Unfortunately we do not presently have the political will, public support, or financial capability to do what is necessary. I hope we can get some of all three soon. We certainly don’t have much time.
Bill Cowern, Lawa‘i
