Just because there are no laws about certain acts, it should not be interpreted to be a free-for-all, do as you please, wild-wild-west playground where the strong and the quick are allowed to prey on the less nimble and the weak.
Laws, rules and regulations cannot be (and we should not expect it to be) so comprehensive that it fully protects against every possible scam or scheme concocted by some clever guy who knows the rules and the loopholes. Clearly, any rule that is comprehensive and complete would be so voluminous that it would be too costly for individuals and businesses to keep tab of and to adhere to. It would be equally costly for the government to ensure compliance.
Even the Ten Commandments are merely broad, basic tenets to live by. “Thou shalt not kill” does not prescribe the ways that one can commit murder. It wasn’t and it shouldn’t be necessary. The intent is clear and we are expected guided by our conscience, our inner moral selves.
Where the law is silent, the unwritten moral code must come into play. The question that we must always ask of ourselves is: “Is it morally correct to do this?” It is hard to codify morals. Even so, it is our duty to ask that question and apply the standard of moral that is appropriate, acceptable and expected of us. The more power we exercise over others and the more our actions impact the lives of others, the higher that moral standard becomes.
The image of America and Americans in the eyes of the world suffers when, as a result of our actions (or inactions), a global crisis ensues. Our struggle against terrorism will fail if the world perceives us to be worshippers of greed and gold, ready to sacrifice the well being of others for personal gains. Capitalism without morals erodes the very foundation of our country, our unity, our strength.
The founding fathers of the United States of America, in crafting the Constitution, began it with a short preamble that is just as important, if not more so than all the articles of the constitution that follows it.
“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United Sates of America”.
It is an emphatic summary of the overarching goals of the Constitution, the law of the land. It underscores the moral objectives behind each article of the Constitution. It brings out the need to apply the ‘spirit of the law’ – captured in the preamble itself - where the ‘word of the law’ is absent or silent on a particular issue.
The success of America on the world’s stage stems from its willingness and ability to think and act for the common good of everyone; its generosity when calamities befall others; and its willingness to stand up and fight for freedom and the basic rights of ALL people, as if we are ONE people.
When we look back at history, the defining moments of greatness and success are always associated with what one has done to establish justice… promote the general welfare of all people… and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. It is not “all about ME” and it certainly is not all about the millions in profits and bonuses that some would brag about.
The success of an individual is measured not by his/her wealth but by his/her legacy of deeds that has benefitted others. We can inherit wealth but we cannot inherit greatness.
The goodness of our actions is not defined by whether it is legal but by whether it is moral.
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