Should Ethical Behavior Be Legislated?

When the Sarbanes Oxley Act was passed in 2002, it included a requirement for publicly-held companies to create a code of conduct for managements and employees. The content of such codes set standards of acceptable behavior and included safe-harbor provisions for whistleblowers. Under these codes of conduct, inappropriate behaviors can result in warnings, even termination.

Interestingly, many people believe these mandated codes of conduct do little to change the behavior of employees. While they may define right and wrong for some that don't have a proper understanding, persons prone to unethical behavior will likely behave unethically!

Governments pass laws to define and establish acceptable behavior. The Ten Commandments offer Judeo-Christian definitions of righteousness. Societial norms contribute to some degree of understanding of "good" and "bad." So, many ask, will mandated codes of conduct cause anyone to change their behavior?

Reported on the morning news today, the democratically-controlled House of Representatives censured the use of the words "government-run healthcare." That a governmental body would try to limit free speech is, first of all, a violation of the constitutional rights of U.S. Citizens. Secondly, it is further indication the government is no longer by the people for the people but by factions of the government for the government!

Historically, excessive governmental control has resulted in suppression of the rights of people and/or in rebellion and wars. I remember an old movie, The Network I think it was called. In a near-final scene a man stood at his window and shouted, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" When rules favor any kind of government and become oppressive and unreasonable, cooperation is not the result!

Most will agree we need laws, regulations and even codes of conduct to define behavior. When guidelines restrict personal freedoms for the benefit of governments, managements, political parties, church leaders or individuals, however, there can be no common purpose or unity. The end is division and downfall! What is your opinion?