Published: October 28, 2008
ERC Urges McCain and Obama To Stress Ethics in Washington
88 Percent of Americans Want More Ethical Atmosphere, a Poll Shows
Citing two years of political campaign pledges to bring “change” to the nation’s capital, the Ethics Resource Center has urged both major presidential candidates to make ethics a high priority in a new administration.
In separate letters sent Oct. 9 to Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, ERC President Patrcia J. Harned called on each campaign to detail its plans to raise ethical standards for federal workers.
In a national poll commissioned by ERC, Harned noted, 88 percent of Americans said they strongly believe that a clear, effective White House ethics plan is needed, whoever wins the November election.
"Our own research, most recently through ERC’s 2007 National Government Ethics Survey, reveals that ethical lapses are far more pervasive in the federal workplace than generally perceived by the public," the letters said. "It shows that government employees are increasingly working in environments that are conducive to misconduct."
"Equally troubling, indications are that environments are likely to continue to deteriorate in the near future. Conflicts of interest, abusive or intimidating behavior, and lying to employees are particularly common, and fraud is as likely to occur in government as in the private sector."
The letter concludes, "Three decades have passed since the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 was enacted and almost two decades have passed since President George H.W. Bush signed the Executive Order outlining 'Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees.' Yet public perceptions of government have not improved. ERC’s recent national poll makes clear that Americans will support measures to restore an ethical climate in Washington."
Related: View this month's Policy Report "Ethics and the Law"