Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Do You Trust Those In Power?


 Trust Is Earned Not Commanded by Position

Before going any further a look at the dictionary definition of 'Trust' is in order, according to Merriam-Webster:

Definition of TRUST:
1. a: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something

    b: one in which confidence is placed

Public Trust In People & Institutions

History has taught us that we are foolish to place blind trust in those in authority simply because they have risen to that office either by public selection via elections or by being hired into positions of authority. Simply occupying a position which should be held by those worthy of trust does not automatically mean that all holding those positions are worthy.

In order to really know if someone or something ( an institution ) is trustworthy can only be determined by observation over a period of time. The longer the period of time, the more accurate the determination can be. Of course, even then, things can go sideways and shatter our trust in either individuals or organizations. A good recent example was the world economic meltdown over the past few years, and the still fragile condition of that same institution. The size of the institutions which simply proved unworthy of trust is absolutely staggering. Remember General Motors actually went bankrupt and are indebted to the taxpayer for billions of dollars.

Even our most respected institution of policing, the once revered Royal Canadian Mounted Police have proven they are no longer worthy of blind faith or trust in the integrity of that institution. 


For many years and possibly decades now, even the centuries old religious institutions have proven themselves unworthy of a blind trust in their righteousness.

The once worthy of public trust, fourth estate, the press is no longer proving to be able to simply report the facts, without letting the bias of the writers or their institutions colour the flavour of their story. The 'left' leaning press has for some time now called into question the position of honor once occupied by that respected institution. 


Our legal institutions including the police, the crown prosecutor, some 'experts' and even judges have all been shown over time to have not lived up to the expectations we have come to place upon them.


This list indeed goes on and on.


On A Local Level

In order to determine if someone or something is trustworthy demands transparency on the part of those occupying those positions. For example, when our local city council makes decisions 'in camera' and the reasons offered the public don't seem true, then trust in that council is challenged. The biggest example locally, was the decision to pay the ex-city manager over half a million dollars to not work for two years, this decision was supported by explanations that can only be taken as an insult to any thinking person. Yet, that line was stuck with, and to further add to the taint, a gag order was applied to all but the Mayor on the matter.

There are several other examples that could be offered but this single one clearly demonstrates why trust is seriously eroded when these kind of actions are taken. The idea that something 'foul' is being done behind closed doors is not difficult to accept.

Then after eroding trust on several occasions, the same council and staff try and gain public support for projects they feel are good for the community and expect the public to 'trust' them and their judgment. 

It just doesn't work that way, and public confidence in our governing institutions has diminished to the point people really wonder if it makes any difference which councilor, or mayor, or MLA or MP or Prime Minister they put in charge, because in the end public trust has been so seriously eroded.

allvoices

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