We are in the midst of a great moral challenge

[vlyons]

I would even go so far as to say a moral struggle. It is about our true values and about our character as individuals. By character, I mean what we think, say, and do, when no one is watching. Just this week, have had several perfect examples of immorality that seems to permeate throughout our society -- from the CEO of Wells Fargo admitting to several years of widespread fraud, to a Donald Trump exhibiting narcissistic bullying behavior and outright lies, to a Republican senate and congress that puts party before country. Whatever happened to common human decency that values people above the pursuit of money? Whatever happened to common human good will towards others that would be deeply ashamed to belittle women for body image? Whatever happened to personal pride at being offended to cheat on taxes or embezzle from customers, and stiff contractors? Whatever happened to the human good will towards others that gets outraged by systemic racism? Is morality no longer taught by parents, teachers, social and religious leaders? I am very upset with the level and breadth of immorality that seems to be endemic in American life today. We need to have an ongoing discussion about this. I hope that more and more DUers will talk about what's is expected in a moral society.

[WDIM]

1. Choosing non-violence over war.

The anti-war peace movement is dead in this country. We don't even have a choice of a pro-peace non-violence candidate.

We have become a country that believes violence solves our problems.

Hillary too is blood thirsty voting for Iraq, Afghanistan, supporting violence in libya, supporting violence in Syria.

All the greatest teachers have tought to live by non-violence. And it is by choosing non-violence is how we end violence.

[mnhtnbb]

2. I am with you.

I think it started when Richard Nixon looked in the camera and proclaimed he was not a crook.

Little by little, it has become acceptable to not follow rules, cheat customers, lie to constituents and generally rationalize
any immoral or amoral behavior as long as it gets the individual what is wanted.

I have been engaged on a fb discussion since last night over Trump's attempt to extend Bill's lying--under oath--about his
sexual escapades--to Hillary. Trump wants to make Hillary complicit.

The one woman who was pushing the horror of Bill LYING UNDER OATH--finally admitted that it was the lying under oath
that was the problem. She has ZERO problem with Trump being a pathological liar, a con man, a person who can't be trusted
to honor his contractual obligations. That's all ok because it wasn't under oath. Hillary must be condemned because her husband
lied under oath...and, by extension, if she was married to him and stayed married to him she condoned that behavior. It also didn't matter
that Trump is a serial adulterer because he didn't lie about it under oath. No, he only pleaded the 5th 97 times during a discovery proceeding
when he was divorcing Ivana so he wouldn't have to admit his adultery. That was moral behavior in this woman's eyes.

That is just sick. Really sick and really sad.

[vlyons]

4. It's not about NOT lying under oath, but rather

how each of us behaves, when no one is looking. It's about having personal integrity, an internal moral compass. There are numerous times every day, when we could lie, cheat, and steal and get away with it. But getting away with stuff should not be the bar to behaving morally. Our own personal integrity and sense of a moral compass and shame at hurting and defrauding others seems missing in far too many people.

[mnhtnbb]

5. Our own personal integrity and sense of a moral compass and shame at hurting and defrauding others

seems missing in far too many people."

Agreed.

[Snellius]

3. Money and morals

Best line from Fargo:
"And for what? For a little bit of money? There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don'tcha know that? And here ya are, and it's a beautiful day."