The People Problem: When Ideology loses Integrity

I was talking with my aunt today about the oil spill in the gulf. We were discussing what really caused the spill to happen when she made a comment that stopped me dead in my tracks. "This is what happens when we have ideology without integrity." Ideology without integrity. The truth of that statement gave me shivers. 

On BPs' website, where it talks about their core values, it says  "BP wants to be recognised as a great company – competitively successful and a force for progress. We have a fundamental belief that we can make a difference in the world. We help the world meet its growing need for heat, light and mobility. We strive to do that by producing energy that is affordable, secure and doesn't damage the environment. BP is progressive, responsible, innovative and performance driven." Well BP, you are sure making a difference in the world. Just not a good one. For to have BP claim they are  a "responsible" company and then not make sure that all the necessary safety systems are working with their drills, does not put much weight on their words. 


And that is the problem. The words of ideology without the weight of integrity will always lead a society downhill. It is the issue of integrity that we need to understand when asking, "how did this oil spill happen," or "how did the Enron Scandal happen."  These are issues that never comes down to a money problem, a business problem, or a policy problem. These issues are people problems. You can have all the ideology and rhetoric in the world; be jammed packed with moral values, and good ethics. Without people upholding the integrity of those ideals, they don't mean jack. That is when ideology becomes insignificant and rhetoric goes empty.  


So the lesson here is simple: Whatever field, faith, or profession that you are in, a lack of integrity will always lead to the ruin of yourself, your community, and ultimately your country. So why not take the time in whatever you do to make sure your being honest and true. BP can surely show you what happens when your not.       


The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Arts