Legislators not immune from ethics storm

I'm wondering what genetic makeup it is to which state lawmakers trace their lineage. Whatever it is, it apparently makes them more honest and immune to abuses than the rest of us.

At least, that's if you go by some of the statements we're getting as to why ethics reform bills are likely to die again this year. We haven't seen any problems, is usually the refrain. Other times I've had lawmakers act genuinely angry at the suggestion they tighten the rules on gifts from lobbyists or on reporting which lobbyists have given what to whom, as if I were questioning their own integrity.

Is it genetics? Maybe not. It could be some special process that changes a person the minute he or she raises a hand to take an oath of office.

One thing is for sure. If our lawmakers are all pure and above question, it sure isn't representative government.

Pick a profession. Any profession. You'll find a share of scoundrels and cheaters. The papers are full of them. Every now and then a teacher is arrested for doing dishonorable things with a student. Doctors occasionally get caught abusing drugs or doling out prescriptions illegally. Reporters have been caught fabricating stories or stealing others' words with impunity. Even clergy have made news for unethical behavior.

And in business . . . where do you start?

One of Utah's most famous business success stories, Jon M. Huntsman Sr., wrote a book recently that portrays the current business climate as one of slippery rules and forgotten values. Last year he told Deseret Morning News reporter Dave Anderton, "I think we have little by little ground ourselves down to not know the difference between right and wrong."

Amazing how lawmakers in this state can be so certain they are flying above this cultural storm.

Most businesses, trades and professions try to head off abuses with codes of conduct or well-defined ethical rules. The assumption is that most employees are honest, but that everyone needs a clear understanding of the rules so they can be held accountable.

Utah's lawmakers have rules, too, but when it comes to how they interact with lobbyists, these are as loose as the legs on a stool in a thrift store. Two bills this session would tighten things a bit. One would ban most gifts from lobbyists valued at more than $5. The other would tighten disclosure rules, requiring lobbyists to be more thorough in how they report gifts they gave to individual lawmakers.