i have enjoyed your words of wisdom on the radio for quite some time. having recently reviewed the 6 pillars of character, i find it odd that of all the people in this world that you would pick laura to illustrate your point.

Dear Michael,

I believe you to be an honorable man and respect very much what you do and have accomplished. That said, it’s difficult to understand why you haven’t addressed what is, in many American’s minds…including many futurists, one of the defining issues of our times…immigration (both legal and illegal). Aren’t the issues embedded in this controversy worthy of serious debate, and yes, judgment by those engaged in the business of monitoring, teaching, and promoting ethical behavior?

Like many Americans, I’m concerned about the apparent lapses in judgment of our leaders in both the private and public sectors; even worse is the nearly total collapse of concern for working Americans by our so-called leaders. Patriotism, while having spiked on 9/11, has long since continued its dark decline into the abyss of global capitalism. For a powerful example of these phenomena, one need not look any further than immigration related to workforce and employment standards. Every country on earth protects its borders and labor law standards; while in contrast these same countries criticize America for even discussing the issues. Mexico aggressively protects its borders with troops and labor laws with an iron fist of prosecution and prison sentences if violated. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez just closed his borders using armed troops while claiming U.S. border enforcement is a violation of human rights (how absurd).

In your Commentary (Whatever Happened to Accountability and Fair-Minded Objectivity? 487.2) you wrote about accountability, objectivity, and wondered about the implications of immigration (and other issues) in the context of taking a political stand and voter accountability too…saying “the stakes are too high to sit on our hands.” You said it’s time” to support or repudiate our policies”. Do you not then have a moral responsibility, as an ethicist, to address the obvious ethical conflicts related to violations in immigration and national workforce employment laws?

In another Commentary you wrote of (The Need for Moral Judgment 558.1) claiming “If the concept of character is to mean anything, we should judge and disapprove of untrustworthy, disrespectful, irresponsible, unfair, and unkind conduct.” Similarly, in your commentary about (The Nature of Character 557.4) you admonished “What we’re looking for is moral strength based on ethical principles. Character is revealed by actions, not words, especially when there’s a gap between what we want to do and what we should do and when doing the right thing costs more than we want to pay.” Then in (The Sad, Sad, Sad Case of Eliot Spitzer 557.3) you spoke in unambiguous terms about the rule of law, saying “With only a few notable exceptions, prostitution is illegal throughout the world to protect the exploitation of women.” Couldn’t the same be said about illegal immigration and sinister workforce practices that exploit native and non-native labor alike? So, I ask, “if the concept of character is to mean anything” do you not, as an ethicist, have a moral obligation to address the enormous gaps in policies and egregious practices exploiting labor (women, children, and men)? Do you not have an obligation to address open border politics that openly encourage human trafficking of women for prostitution, child pornography, and the drug smuggling that is poisoning American children and adults? Do you, as an ethicist, have an obligation to speak out loudly and expressly on these issues?

Michael, it’s one thing to write about accountability, objectivity, moral strength, ethical principles, and quite another to engage in substantive discussion on hard issues based on these same criteria and principles. I’m sorry to put you on the spot, but if “the stakes are too high to sit on our hands” on important social and political issues, isn’t it time for ethicists like yourself to take a principled political stand?

There are myriad issues tied to both legal and illegal immigration and workforce visa policies and practices. I’ve given context to many of these challenges in recent responses to your Character Counts commentaries (554.2, and 557.3). Here’s another one to consider in the context of the fraud in labor and policy practices exploiting America’s high-tech workforce.

Citing commentary from Roy Beck, President of the immigration think tank NumbersUSA, “some 14 million Americans and legal workers currently cannot find full-time jobs in the United States. More than 100,000 American programmers are unemployed. When those who are underemployed or working in other jobs because they cannot find programming jobs, the total grows to about half a million. At the same time, more than 450,000 H-1B workers are employed as programmers in the United States. U.S. employers are cutting jobs at the same time they are importing H-1B workers to fill the remaining jobs.” Of course I can offer even more examples on this and other aspects of immigration and visa issues where both public and private sector “leaders” violate, in practice, the policies and the rule of law of the United States of America. Moreover, since ethics promote a higher standard than civil code, common morality and decency and ethical standards are being trashed altogether.

If indeed “if the concept of character is to mean anything,” is it not time for ethicists to judge (support or repudiate) both immigration and visa policy and practices? Is it not time to judge whether our “leaders” actions are in conflict with both the laws of the land, and moral obligations to American citizens? Would it not be irresponsible to do less? What will your actions be and what cost are you willing to pay by addressing these issues? The stakes are so enormous that America’s very survival depends on every American speaking up…especially those Americans charged with securing our nations moral code of conduct.

Either we stand for something, or we stand for nothing !

Americans, indeed the world, await your thoughts.

He's just pointing out that Dr. Laura is an example of someone who passes judgment, not necessarily praising the quality of her opinions.

In fact, there's another article at this site ("Why Do Men Cheat on Their Wives?" 558.5) where Michael Josephson disagrees with Dr. Laura's remarks about Eliot Spitzer's infidelity.

When one can be more objective, it's easier to see that people we disagree with do actually possess an intelligent thought more often than we'd like to believe.

I religiously read your newsletters. I often feel that I come away with a warmed heart, so thank you!!
It was very interesting to see that you mentioned Dr. Schlessinger in two articles - one in a good light and one less complimentary.
I think it is important that we can admire certain values in people and also disagree vehemently with the very same people on other values.
I think that being open to diverse values and opinions can only strengthen us.

Concur with Cookie. "Dr." Laura seems the perfect example of the hypocritical, sanctimonious finger-wagging moralist who gives the concept of moral judgment a bad name. After all, those nude photos of her are still out there somewhere, aren't they?

We need fewer Dr. Lauras and more people of real, genuine character to lead by example.

I agree whole-heartedly with your comments about understanding and making judgments, being trustworthy and questioning behaviors from others that are untrustworthy, cruel, and just plain unkind. But it takes great courage for a person to walk into a therapist's office to confront their crises and understand where or how they may have originated from -- most people go to help with change -- to infer that the non-judgmental position of the counselor is important to the relationship of trust. Most often the person seeking counsel is already filled with shame, guilt, confusion, and angst. To be judgmental to their seeking help would be detrimental to the change they want to see in their lives. Therapists are people too, trained professionals, and we need to give them respect and understanding within their field of experience. It may not suit some folks in terms of a vocation, but it certainly is needed and a worthy occupation. I appreciate your work, and the work of other professionals who help people see the light in their darkest moments. Hope is what we all bring to the spirit of humanness and its frailties. The hope in change, in peace, and in honest reflection and personal growth or professional development.

I'm glad you picked Dr. Laura to illustrate your point. I think people don't care for her because she tells it like it is, but she is usually right on target when it comes to dealing with behavioral issues and right and wrong. The fact is: The truth hurts sometimes! But that's when some, not all, really take a step back and look at the problem and either make changes to make things right, or not. Thank you for all you do in causing us to examine our character.