Baltimore Ethics Examiner

The Blame Game

    The price of oil imports continues to rise, and the costs are passed along to the consumer in the forms of rising food, clothing, and fuel expenses.  The burden of the increase seems to be the sole responsibility of the American consumer, who feels a diminished purchasing capacity.
     One solution to this hardship could come in the form of economic compassion from oil companies.  But they have not reduced their quarterly profits, nor have offered to do so.  The evidence lies in their omission in front of yesterday’s Senate panel.  
    Pointedly questioned by California Senator Diane Feinstein as to where their “moral compass” was located, oil company executives responded with the economic need to charge profit-making amounts so research and development can continue at its current pace.  Additionally, company heads were quick to point to government restrictions on drilling access to environmentally protected lands that sit atop oil fields.  This, they claim, propagates the need for foreign oil imports.

    Is Feinstein within her right as a government representative to ask the oil companies to explain their behavior?

    Who is to blame for the rising costs of gas?

    Do you think that company executives understood Feinstein’s request to elaborate on their business’ “moral compass”?  If so, what do you believe would have been their exact response?

Topics: Gas Prices , Moral Compass , Oil Imports , Profits

The Cost of a Free Education

    Maryland public schools are facing a shortage.  Some schools are suffering from overcrowding, and so the solution is to temporarily build trailers, then new buildings following bond issues and voters’ acquiescence. Some... Read More
Topics: Taxes , Public Education , Solutions

Homeowner Help

    As just reported, last month saw 73,000 homes reclaimed by banks due to lapsed mortgages.  If this were a singular event, then it would be a phenomenon.  It is not. So, who will come to the rescue?  According to the... Read More
Topics: foreclosure , recession , tax payers , mortgage

Fairness for the First Lady

    The next elected president of the United States will be named either McCain or Obama.  By the end of November, we will have voted one of these two gentlemen into office because of his foreign and national policies.  We will... Read More
Topics: politics , First Lady , Out of Bounds , Scrutiny

The Price of an Unpopular War

    Interestingly enough, presumed Republican presidential candidate John McCain continues to take a stance on the Iraqi War that is blatantly unpopular with most American voters.  A growing majority of citizens believe that the war... Read More
Topics: McCain , Iraqi War , Popular Opinion

A Victory for Racism

Tuesday’s primary in West Virginia scored a victory for Clinton and for racism.Eight out of ten voters voiced their opinions in exit polls and unashamedly admitted that they would never vote for a black man, whether he is qualified to be the Commander-in-... Read More
Topics: racism , democratic primary , Clinton , Obama , votes

Is John McCain credible?

    Last Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate John McCain told an audience of several hundred listeners that the war in Iraq would end when the American people wanted it to.     Could this be a true statement, or do... Read More
Topics: VIrtue , John McCain , politics , view , rhetoric , war , Iraq

Dick Cheney and Ethics

The push for environmental awareness has been forefront in the media as of late. The need to lower our “carbon footprint” is headlining newspapers and magazines with the intent of influencing consumer choices. Whether these articles are... Read More
Topics: Vice President Dick Cheney , Ethics , VIrtue

Tax credit for conservation

Should households receive tax credits for taking conservation measure that lower electric bills, water usage, and meet state compliance measures to make their houses ‘greener’?... Read More