Reform people, not ethics
Reform the people in Springfield, Ethics are fine
ETHICS - moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.
REFORM - make changes in something in order to improve it.
People have "good" moral principles or they don't. We are honest and truthful or we are not. Right from wrong, prior to activity, is discernible. Learning is available to all, yet learning is optional.
Illinois is not in need of "ethics reform." Illinois is in need of ethical people in Springfield. Execution of the duties in the job description of elected officials, guided by good moral principles equals ethics.
The king of the General Assembly has ruled for decades. As king, he is responsible for the ethical behavior of his subordinates. Opinions of suspicion and accusations of wrongdoing are frequent. Factually, General Assembly members have been convicted of numerous crimes. A few governors have become prisoners. The wishes of lobbyists for special interests force promised useful legislation to die.
"The conducting of an activity" of governing in Illinois does not reflect ethics. Reforming ethics to Springfield is altering the definition of ethics. Sanction current unethical behavior and invent a scale to generate a statistic for remediation. An invented statistic to fain efforts of learning and growing.
Illinois ethics reform is complete when Springfield subscribes to and behaves by the current definition of ethics. Elected officials would vote for what's best for all vs. self interest and party. Honor and pride, in honest accomplishment for the many, would replace a desire to capture a lifetime position and grow personal wealth. Finally, decisions would be guided by the answer to the question: (regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender) would I want my decision for others enacted on my mom or grandkids?
Alan P. Murdoch
Arlington Heights