What kind of money- hungry ethics is this?
According to David Lazarus' column in a recent L.A.Times edition, both Verison and ATT have placed no residential land line phone numbers in their new phone books.
Yet the companies continue to charge up to $2.50 per month for not listing your phone number in a non-existent phone book!
To be sure, many customers desire that their phone be unlisted to protect their privacy. However, that is assured for all customers with the new editions of their phone books.
Yet, one of the companies' spokepersons declared that " It will help support the ongoing costs associated with the service." Ths, of course, says nothing about the service charge for a non existent service!
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
"I was baited into making racist comments about blacks by a woman friend on the recording you heard with her." So says Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers. To his credit he made a sincere confession of his offensive words, yet his blaming of his companion for his words may have nulified the begging for forgiveness.
As I watched him with Andesrson Cooper, I couldn't help thinking that one of the markers for a mature adult is to accept resposibility for our actions and words without blaming others. And then accepting the consequences of our actions, whatever they may be.
Ethical thinking and behaving is to realize the need to admit and accept responsibility for our offensive words that bring hurt to persons or groups, then to rectify or make right our mistake. This demonstates our sincerity. To do this is not easy, in fact, it is difficult.
Should Don Sterling go before the NAACP and make confession? Better yet, he should allow Latinos and blacks to rent his properties, which I understand, he has not done previously. This action would show loudly and clearly that his confession was sincere and that he has had a change of heart.
As I watched him with Andesrson Cooper, I couldn't help thinking that one of the markers for a mature adult is to accept resposibility for our actions and words without blaming others. And then accepting the consequences of our actions, whatever they may be.
Ethical thinking and behaving is to realize the need to admit and accept responsibility for our offensive words that bring hurt to persons or groups, then to rectify or make right our mistake. This demonstates our sincerity. To do this is not easy, in fact, it is difficult.
Should Don Sterling go before the NAACP and make confession? Better yet, he should allow Latinos and blacks to rent his properties, which I understand, he has not done previously. This action would show loudly and clearly that his confession was sincere and that he has had a change of heart.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
IS CAPITALISM BECOMING UNETHICAL?
Many observers have been concerned that we in the US are losing our middle class, as the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. The December issue of the Atlantic magazine underscores a cause for this movement by chronicling the divorce of business from the common good of society. In the not so distant past, businesses made significant and responsible contributions to local causes. Author Freeland records how in the 50's and 60's business leaders were also leaders in the community because they felt a responsibility to their town or city. They went well beyond their 'bottom line'.
Yet, in this current climate of cuttroat competion, many CEO's aren't troubled ethically for treating their employees poorly by granting low wages with little or no health benefits.
Fortunately, a renewal movement is coming on the scene, sustainable capitalism, which has as its approach an inclusive social responsibility that benefits the broader society. The fact is that many companies who behave in this manner do experience greater profits in the long haul.
Author Chrystia Freeland uses a twist on St. Augustine in her conclusion: "Lord, make me good, but make my competitors and my investors good, too".
Many observers have been concerned that we in the US are losing our middle class, as the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. The December issue of the Atlantic magazine underscores a cause for this movement by chronicling the divorce of business from the common good of society. In the not so distant past, businesses made significant and responsible contributions to local causes. Author Freeland records how in the 50's and 60's business leaders were also leaders in the community because they felt a responsibility to their town or city. They went well beyond their 'bottom line'.
Yet, in this current climate of cuttroat competion, many CEO's aren't troubled ethically for treating their employees poorly by granting low wages with little or no health benefits.
Fortunately, a renewal movement is coming on the scene, sustainable capitalism, which has as its approach an inclusive social responsibility that benefits the broader society. The fact is that many companies who behave in this manner do experience greater profits in the long haul.
Author Chrystia Freeland uses a twist on St. Augustine in her conclusion: "Lord, make me good, but make my competitors and my investors good, too".
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A NEW YEARS QUESTION: ARE WE TREATING PERSONS JUSTLY OR UNJUSTLY?
It is great to give someone a compliment, yet is far better to add value to another's life. To live justly is to confer worth and value to a person's walk in this value-robbing world. To live unjustly is to take value from another and take it for ourselves. So how do we live in 2014 guided by a commitment to live justly toward others and add worth to them?
Think with me a moment about a few value-robbers:
Secondly, Jesus gives us the true definition of humility. In John 13 we recall His washing the disciples feet. which, of course, is an act of humility. But do we consider John's words immediately prior to this event?
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power and that He had come from God and was returning to God..." Then and only then did He begin to bend low and merge towel with feet. Humility toward others never means groveling in poverty of self esteem before others. On the contrary, we bend down in service to others from a position of strength and empowerment. 'foot washing' is a gift that can enhance others. It is a deed of genuine goodness that may cost us money and/or time. Perhaps it is mowing a lawn for a single mother or crippled senior. Maybe it is surprising a needy family with 3 weeks of groceries. These are idea starters for a life-style of feet washing. What we do will be in the spirit of the exalted and humbled Christ Jesus.
"And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6;8
Think with me a moment about a few value-robbers:
- To advertisers we are only customers
- In too many churches we are multiple dollar givers
- In too many marriages the wives or husbands are valued only as sex partners
Secondly, Jesus gives us the true definition of humility. In John 13 we recall His washing the disciples feet. which, of course, is an act of humility. But do we consider John's words immediately prior to this event?
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power and that He had come from God and was returning to God..." Then and only then did He begin to bend low and merge towel with feet. Humility toward others never means groveling in poverty of self esteem before others. On the contrary, we bend down in service to others from a position of strength and empowerment. 'foot washing' is a gift that can enhance others. It is a deed of genuine goodness that may cost us money and/or time. Perhaps it is mowing a lawn for a single mother or crippled senior. Maybe it is surprising a needy family with 3 weeks of groceries. These are idea starters for a life-style of feet washing. What we do will be in the spirit of the exalted and humbled Christ Jesus.
"And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6;8
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