We Need Consequences
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
Tiger is only the latest in the line of 'Great, All American Nice Guys' to fall short of our God-like standards. We have Michael Vick and his dogs. There's Sanford, Edwards and Ensign to name just a few government leaders who've 'crossed the line'. Let's not forget those special leaders of ENRON and Wall Street whose corruption brought our economy to its knees. We have Bill and Monica, Brad and Angelina, Tom and Penelope. Even Fox Mulder is corrupt.
Without consequences, behaviors don't change.
So, where are the consequences? Oh sure, Wall Street fell. But our tax dollars bailed them out - we even gave some of them big bonuses. Oh I forgot, we took care of that, limiting bonuses to south of $1M or so. Now there's a consequence. I want that punishment myself. The Enron guys went to jail - but how many just like them are still leaders, hiding beneath a corporate brand and crooked books, enjoying their undeserved bonus streams?
Michael Vick has his job back along with his great big salary. Fans pay huge dollars for tickets to go see him. Some friends tell me he paid for his crime - he went to jail. They were just dogs after all. (Don't get me started!). Somehow, I don't think the time in a posh little jail changed much about dear Michael - although I do pray that it did. Time will tell. I'm not picking on him by the way. Pick your favorite sports team and you'll find cheating, drugs and gambling beneath that mascot. We cringe when the news first hits. But soon we forget, buy those tickets and rush to see them in action.The All American Dream.
How quickly we forget. The Power is just too strong.
I'm not proposing an answer here - that's not my place. But I am doing my part to create consequences - paltry though it may be. I refuse to buy a Tom Cruise ticket since he was such an ass with Nicole and their children. I didn't buy Clinton's book and I won't be contributing to his library fund. I vote more against the corruption than for the positive. That's a sad fact itself, and totally another story.
I know it sounds silly. It's just my way of showing that just because you're powerful, it doesn't mean you can cheat - on your wife, your company, your fans or our country. I'm also learning not to put people on pedestals. No matter who they are, or what they've done, very few people deserve that lofty view.
The likes of Mother Theresa and Gandhi - those are our Titans.
The rest of us? We are all just mortals.
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Tomorrow - Blinded by the Light.
About the Author:
Rebel Brown consistently challenges the status quo to deliver optimum solutions and high velocity growth for her clients. She combines the strategic expertise and tactical savvy of a global Corporate Strategy, Launch and Turnaround Expert, along with the leadership and motivational skills needed to get the job done.