There is a standard of right

with contributions from Christopher Shays

Recently the Sentinel spoke with United States Congressman Christopher Shays about honesty. His remarks are excerpted below.

Most people who have a high standard on ethics questions have developed it over time, starting as a child. I think of my parents. My dad and mom would never have thought of having me answer the telephone and say, "I'm sorry, my dad and mom aren't here" when they were there. Wouldn't it be a tremendous irony if, while they were preaching that I should always tell the truth, they said to lie—even a little lie?

It's not only what your parents teach you but also how they conduct their lives that makes the difference. There was only one instance in the entire time I've known my dad when I knew he was wrestling with whether he'd done something unethical. I was sixteen years old, and he was taking out a permit so that I could drive. The requirement was that you have completed 500 miles of driving with the person taking out the permit for you.

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