Recent Trust Commentaries

Featured image for “Five Things Congress Can Do to Restore Trust”
Five Things Congress Can Do to Restore Trust
The Economy, Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Healthcare, Taxes, Energy Independence – all are important actions Americans want to see accomplished by the next Congress and President. But, before they can begin to tackle an unprecedented “to-do list,” Congress needs to start by reforming how government operates. According to the Gallup organization’s annual Governance poll (Sept. 2008), “Just 26% say they are...
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January 14, 2009
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Who Do You Trust?
Years ago, long before the Tonight Show, Johnny Carson hosted a game show in which couples were brought on stage.  The man would be asked a series of questions and offered a choice:  he could either answer the question himself, or trust his wife to come up with the answer. The cash prize was limited, but what really held your interest...
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January 7, 2009
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Wrong Choice
The events surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s decision to appoint a replacement to the United States Senate seat previously held by President-elect Barack Obama grows denser and unnecessarily more controversial. The New York Times reported (Jan. 1) that Gov. Blagojevich “…had an emissary make a call on the Dec. 24 to Danny K. Davis, a Democratic representative and longtime African-American...
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January 2, 2009
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My Time With Mother
Although faith is not an ethical value, its importance in driving ethical conduct should not be underestimated. In fact, the word faith comes from the Latin fidere meaning ‘to trust.’ According to the Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, “Faith is an attitude or belief which goes beyond the available evidence.” Bradley James is a composer, pianist, singer and public speaker.  In 1987, his...
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December 29, 2008
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Complete Honesty, Unquestionable Integrity
Digging deeper into the write-in responses from the Capps/Zogby Poll entitled, What Americans Expect from the Next President and Congress, I was struck by the direct, sometimes blunt language and emotion from Americans. In response to what qualities the country needs most from the next president, most offered a list of traits, many more took the time to put forth their own...
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December 12, 2008
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What Will it Take?
Yesterday, three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected Democratic Congressman William Jefferson’s argument to dismiss a 16-count indictment stemming from bribery and conspiracy charges. (JimsNotes:  Jefferson is the Louisiana congressman who was videotaped by the FBI receiving $100,000 in cash as part of an investigation in which, according to an FBI statement, “Jefferson sought things of value in...
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November 14, 2008
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Two Examples
One of the pleasureable aspects of being a writer is meeting and speaking with many interesting people; people with their own stories of principle. Two examples are Sam Broadnax and Art Harmon.  Both were part of the elite fighter pilot group known as the Tuskegee Airmen.  And both have a clear understanding of what they stand for. Sam Broadnax has had...
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October 8, 2008
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Now, More Than Ever
If I had the opportunity to speak to Congress on the importance of trust, it might sound something like this – The first time I became aware of political leadership it was 1961. Our 7th grade homeroom teacher wheeled in a big television set so that the entire class could watch the inauguration of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. We all sat...
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August 1, 2008
Featured image for “INDIANA JONES AND THE SACRED CODE”
INDIANA JONES AND THE SACRED CODE
THE MOST SACRED RELIC ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH… FILLED WITH INCREDIBLE POWER… AND INDIANA JONES MUST GET HIS HANDS ON IT BEFORE THE EVIL (NAZIS/CULTISTS/NAZIS/RUSSIANS) DO… THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD DEPENDS ON IT! World-traveling (and world-weary) archeologist Indiana Jones has studied ancient cultures, read sacred texts, raced Nazis for possession of religious artifacts, not to mention whip...
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May 23, 2008
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The Four Horsemen
When it comes to corruption, the Four Horsemen of the Ethical Apocalypse remain:  Money, Power, Influence and Arrogance. In a 2006 survey that I conducted with Zogby International and the Center for Cultural Studies and Analysis, Americans have decidedly low levels of trust and confidence in its leadership.  “Most Americans,” the Center says, “have moved beyond thinking of violations of honesty...
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March 28, 2008