I Propose a Test
Integrity is a word that, no matter the context, implies strength; whether it’s the strength of character in a person or the structural strength of a building, machine or bridge. Simply put, a person with integrity embraces personal accountability, is always honest, never lies, and refuses to do anything which could bring their character into question. An inanimate object has integrity if it is so structurally sound, that it will not fail if manufacturer guidelines are followed.
In my opinion, the one, (and most important), job in a free society where the admission of people of proven integrity should be a requirement, is in the governing of that free society. I ask, why do we not test people on their level of personal integrity as the ultimate determiner of eligibility before one is even allowed to run for political office; let alone, hold one? Politics also involves lawyers.
Again, this is just my opinion on this point, but I believe it’s impossible for a greedy person to have integrity. Why do I think this way? It’s simple. A greedy person will do anything to satisfy their hunger for more, more, more. If telling a “little white lie,” for example, would earn them a dollar, they’d jump on it. If perjuring themselves could earn them ten dollars, they’d lawyer up first and then jump on it.
Those who have little to no integrity would likely start their actions against the test by condemning it, claiming the test is unable to take our “differences” into consideration. This would also provide them yet another opportunity to lie about their being all about “diversity.” They’d say what integrity means to one, may not be what it means to another, even though its single meaning for all humans is crystal clear.
Corruption doesn’t mix well with honesty, so like everything else, the corrupt would simply refuse to acknowledge there is but one way to describe a person with integrity.
Those without integrity would attack the integrity test as an attempt to “divide us.” They’d make use of the tactic of attempting to redefine what integrity “really” means, (which would be opposite of what it does mean). They would likely say that only allowing people of proven integrity to hold office, is discriminatory toward those who haven’t yet had the “opportunity” to prove their integrity.
They’d also likely complain, “Just because someone has a criminal past, doesn’t necessarily mean that person has no integrity,” (even though it would, until there’s actual proof they’ve abandoned their criminal past). Because, while a criminal may succeed in cleaning up their act, the only way they could prove they’ve got integrity, would be by passing the test, just like everyone else wanting to serve the people with a position in government.
The meaning of integrity, is like Kryptonite to those who lack integrity, especially if they hold a position of power and control. The fact is, if we restricted government office holders to being people of proven integrity, every single one who’s in office today would be disqualified. Does anyone doubt that there is not a single politician who has not lied to their constituents or taken money from lobbyists?
In fact, if we all studied our own personal views on the importance of integrity and the role it plays in our lives, and whether we toe any party’s lines, maybe we’d be more unyielding to what politicians and political parties try to sell us. Many (if not most) politicians today are lawyers. Some people claim there is evidence that a 13th amendment to the U.S. constitution, prohibits lawyers from holding government office and was ratified in 1819, then illegally removed from the constitution during the Civil War.
Whether this is true or not, I don’t know, but it is claimed there are copies of the constitution that have this amendment. If true, the copies could uphold the integrity of this claim.
This amendment AND its removal would make a lot of sense. Think about it. What professions lure the most UN-trustworthy people around? Many consider those who have law degrees to be trustworthy individuals. This is hardly the case. Lawyers routinely attempt to redefine the truth in order to win a case for their client, who, in many cases they know, or strongly suspect, to be guilty. It’s actually their job.
I have personally, for many years, had my own little list of careers in which I’ve rated jobs from the worst, most corrupted ones, down to those that are the most innocent. Which job is the number one choice of those who wish to become wealthy by any means possible? You guessed it – politics. And if the political landscape’s already corrupt, they vote to make it more corrupt. It’s in their best interest.
With lawyers holding government positions, they manipulate the laws to be in their favor as lawyers, rather than in favor of citizens. This proves there is zero integrity in politics, and that it’s impossible to be successful as a political office holder with integrity for any length of time, if; by chance, one just happens to get elected.
Why do we allow politicians the label, “Honorable?” I can count on one hand the number of politicians that I, personally, would label honorable, and I’d still have ten fingers and two thumbs uncounted. Undoubtedly, in my opinion, the jokers gave the “Honorable” designation to themselves, as I can’t fathom any actual person with any honesty or honor, thinking these vultures are honorable in any way.
So, what career do I have as second on the list? If you are thinking used-car sales, you are correct. This is another example of a corrupt career that employs people who are dishonest and who have absolutely no integrity at all, just like politicians. The difference is, used-car sales is the career for people who aren’t smart enough to hide their smarminess from the public well enough to be gifted a political career.
How about third-place? Well, in all likelihood, we’re going to find people with little to no integrity getting into regular careers that aren’t seen as being prone to scammers, liars and thieves. Lots of them bounce around the minimum wage job opportunities, which restrict their bad behaviors to some extent, until they “mess up” and get fired, and then move on to the next one.
Third place though, would have to include multiple careers, with construction and real estate being up there, at or near the top of the third-place position. This is the career area where scammers have managed to infiltrate otherwise legitimate careers which just happen to be easy for dishonest people to make a killing from, thanks to their lack of integrity.
If you read and/or watch the news, stories on fraudulent activities involving these two vocations are featured abundantly and often. In real estate, fraud is likely perpetrated upon unsuspecting buyers. For example, an agent might know that information on the property you’re considering is wrong, but then doesn’t inform you the information is wrong. Even some “trusted” agents, likely commit this fraud.
The construction industry has lots of opportunities for a corrupt individual to succeed. As a matter of fact, industries that rely mainly on government contracts are rife with corruption. It’s been going on for eons. This is like mobster type stuff, involving compromised union leaders and corrupt politicians. A match made in thieves’ heaven.
The thing is, If a career offers opportunity for corruption involving money, it’s a pretty good bet there will be corruption, and very little chance there will be many with integrity working there.
Test: Image by lecroitg from Pixabay
Following: Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Money: Image by cmfg804 from Pixabay
