Letter: Higher standards will right the ship

The causes of our economic crisis are widely debated.

I argue it is caused by the tolerance of low morals by the American people.

Recently, a long-standing senator was allowed by voters to keep his title as a champion of the people a half century despite his animal-like behavior toward women throughout his political career.

A Southern governor currently retains his position despite his infidelity and abuse of taxpayer funds.

An acclaimed TV show host announced his multiple infidelities to his viewers and was received with laughter and applause.

These examples have occurred with varied frequency over the past several decades but certainly with less and less public outrage each time.

If the lack of morals is accepted so readily by our society, is it then any shock that the word “corporation” is a dirty word and honest journalism is becoming a forgotten art?

Is it any surprise that legislation is now passed into law without being read by those elected to write it?

Or that some legislation is not even written by legislators but instead by whatever special interest group picked up the tab for the last prime rib dinner or game of golf?

We can demand economic reform.

We can demand additional legislation, fewer loopholes, and corporate accountability.

We can demand it, we might get it, and it may appear to work briefly.

But until we begin demanding a higher standard for ourselves and those who lead us, we will be continually disappointed.

Alex Cassady

Marysville