Mario,

Thanks for bringing up the extraordinarily popular idea of an independent ethics commission. Unfortunately, I believe your perspective on what the commission would mean for the State of New Mexico is misguided.

I recall President Bush being asked about government accountability following the 2004 election. His response was something to the effect that the accountability moment had come and gone for the American people with the passing of the election.

If the people’s government can only be held accountable on one day every two or four years, then we have a problem.

By enacting a state ethics commission law in New Mexico, we would do what forty-one states have already done. Namely, we would further the process of institutionalizing ethics.

The current proposal for an ethics commission would provide training for public officials and public employees, develop a common sense business ethics guide for state contractors and develop an ever-growing virtual library of advisory opinions.

This would be good for the state.
Matt Brix | 05.06.08 - 12:31 pm | #

If the electoral system is really a deterent, or an effective cure for corruption and incompetence; why is government still full of the corrupt and the incompetent.

Accountability by election is a myth.

When is the last time the ballot choice was between competent and incompetent, between corrupt and honest.

They are all corruptable.

There needs to be some place where a complaint can be filed that will receive a principled resolution;
by a system the powerful don't control, and powerful enough to hold them accountable even against their will.

A system which does not yet exist; but should.

An independent and powerful ethics commission would be a good START.
ched macquigg | 05.08.08 - 10:31 pm | #