The Death of the Golden Rule
We live in a seriously complicated world and it becomes even more confusing with each passing year. I’m not writing of technological advances here (although they can often provide more confusion than help), I’m thinking more about relationships, role models, mentors and leadership. Each of these individually or grouped concepts, reflect on our life choices; education (practical thinking and reasoning), economics (our chosen work, professions, finances and long term planning), character (total honesty or a life of compromise), society (interacting selflessly or selfishly) and family (respect, contributions, time, commitment and love.) Psychologists argue and debate, the impact of divorce, one parent households, blended families, lost jobs, crime rates, injury and illness yet it’s the reasoning (the cause) that dictates the results.
Today’s example: Discrimination in America (at least) is alive and growing, we simply shift the targets of discrimination as time dictates. The recent recession or depression (depending on how hard the impact has been on you), evidences this clearly. Prior to this economic downturn, there was a competitive race to hire experience. Now, when profits are threatened (yet corporate coffers remain full of cash) the youngest and the oldest are the worst hit. The youngest because they have little experience and no seniority (no juice). The older because they are (or were) paid more and may not be perceived as aggressive, as some middle ground climbers. The young have a chance to survive after the economy recovers, the older workers are very rarely considered for future employment, at least any challenging, productive, contributory, gainful employment.
Secretly (of course) human resource managers, owners, bosses will admit that they won’t consider older workers (any sex, race or religion) regardless of their experience, references, history and willingly reduced pay expectations. The Equal Opportunity Employment Act and those institutions and entities the profess (too loudly me thinks) their compliance are at the very least unethical and at worst law breakers. The Act itself is a joke. Life may be tough in this day and age but that’s no excuse for compromised principles. What has often been termed as the Golden Rule is a forgotten practice, “treat others as you would like them to treat you.” Put yourselves into your victims lives and then ask yourself, how would I feel if somebody did this to me and then (if possible) be genuinely honest with your answer.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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