Lawmakers exhibit different standard of behavior

I remember when standards of behavior were clear, and elected leaders were our role models. What a difference a generation makes. Now, it seems we have two sets of standards, one for lawmakers and one for the rest of us.

My education in civics started in the third grade at Riverside Elementary. The walls of our classroom on the second floor of the old red brick schoolhouse were lined with framed pictures of U.S. presidents. Our teachers taught us about our presidential and political leaders and the rich history of our nation. They taught us that our leaders were held to high standards of behavior and we should look up to and aspire to be like them. Our teachers told us our elected leaders were honest, honorable, patriotic people who entered public service to do the public good and made tough decisions in the public's interest.

Our elected leaders were our heroes, and our parents made sure we respected them and strove to emulate their honorable and unselfish way of life. Life was relatively simple and the roles we played were clear — we respected authority. My parents created a hierarchy of whom I should respect — God, parents and the school principal. And they made sure I did.

Today, however, including in Utah, we seem to have two standards of behavior: one for the average citizen and one for our state lawmakers. While our teachers still talk about the high standards and attributes our leaders are supposed to have, all too often they don't match the conduct of our current political leaders. Students today see our lawmakers espousing high standards that often do not reflect how they govern. Lawmakers periodically demand educators teach character education, yet fail to examine their own behavior.

Legislators rail against government, "It's the problem," yet fail to acknowledge they are the government, and young people are discouraged from entering public service. Lawmakers show public anger about reporting problems with the Medicaid program, yet ignore their failures in reporting their own campaign contributions. They complain about federal government mandates and are zealous in championing local control, yet are quick to pass another law that imposes their will on local policymakers. And when they fail to clarify legislative intent that raises public outcry, they blame public servants. They fail to listen and respond to the public's overwhelming wishes and then complain when voters call for a referendum to respond to their concerns.