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Situational ethics

RONALD FISKE

Fredericksburg, Va.

From a different part of the country, I would like to share some thoughts to ponder about the ethical core of U.S. Rep. Tom Marino of the 10th District encompassing northcentral and parts of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Like far too many elected government officials, he has mastered situational ethics.

When he was nominated to become the nation’s drug czar, it was situationally inconvenient for him to be concerned about conflicts of interest created by his close relationship with the opiod prescription drug industry.

Thus, the situation caused him to compromise his ethics and remain quiet.

When 60 Minutes and The Washington Post disclosed his close relationship to the opiod drug producers, the situation changed suddenly and drastically, leading to Marino withdrawing from consideration for the position because he did not want to present an unethical appearance of the slightest conflict of interest.

Isn’t it amazing how getting caught in an ethically compromising position leads to improved ethics?

As a 1964 Lycoming College graduate and retired attorney, I do not recall ever being taught that situational ethics was anything other than the total absence of ethics.

The 10th district voters deserve to have better than what Marino offers.

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