Some Ethical Tensions I have Experienced

As a Minnesota State Legislator

Ken Nelson, MPA 1993

The ethical tension of living and working in the political culture, which operates on the pervasive and dominant value of re‑election, while voting and working against those special interests who can best help you get re‑elected.("You ought to be able to drink their wine, eat their food, take their contributions, look them in the face, and vote against them.")

The ethical tension of voting against your own district, even the people who helped elect you, but for an issue that solves a statewide problem. (Policy by printout and parochialism.)

The ethical tension of voting for an issue you are against, either because you need that issue's supporters for your next vote (trading votes), or because you are a leader in your caucus, and the caucus members have decided they want this issue to pass. (lottery ‑ less latitude as you rise in leadership)

The ethical tension of taking credit on the campaign trail for what you have done for your district, but not wanting your colleagues at the capitol to hear this because they already believe you have benefited your district at the expense of theirs and it can negatively impact your effectiveness to deliver again.

The ethical tension of overusing the "I" pronoun, rather than the "we" pronoun when you work on an issue, pass a bill, chair a committee or give a legislative report.

The ethical tension of working against good ideas because they are promoted by people of the minority party which is trying to take away your majority status.

The ethical tension of preserving human relationships while working against people because they are of the other party or on the other side of an issue.

The ethical tension of telling your supporters all you know or have done on an issue, knowing that it will erode their support for you.

The ethical tension of providing a quick budget fix, to get through the next election, knowing that you are compounding the long‑term fiscal problem of the state.

The ethical tension of characterizing an issue for the press in an objective manner, increasing the likelihood that you won't get quoted, or overstating it to get quoted.

The ethical tension of criticizing or not criticizing the press, even when you believe they deserve it, because you know they have more ink than you do.

The ethical tension of operating by certain rules; for instance, seniority,when you know that other people could better chair the committees.

The ethical tension of challenging your own leadership through a clandestine process of collaboration with the minority party.

The ethical tension of voting without adequate knowledge, having others vote for you, being intimidated to vote against what you believe is right, or using the vote to get even.

The ethical tension of telling people what they want to hear, knowing that they won't find out that you acted and voted otherwise; or couching it in such a language that they will be led to believe you were on their side when, in fact, you were not.

The ethical tension of ripping the system and its process, when you are frustrated with it, knowing that your criticism plays into the hands of those who are anti‑government or those who are struggling to believe in democracy but are becoming despondent and disengaged.

The ethical tension of periodically asking yourself, "Why am I elected? Who am I serving?" and objectively measuring your answer against democratic ideals and goals and not just personal ambitions, and then asking your family the same question.