Hoffman loan interest is morally indefensible

Wouldn't it be great to get a 7.5 percent return on your investments? A recent Times article explained how Doug Hoffman gets 7.5 percent by loaning money to his own campaign. In making this decision, which question do you think he considered: Is charging my campaign 7.5 percent legal or is charging my campaign 7.5 percent moral?"

It is legal. It is not moral. This action by Mr. Hoffman reveals his selfishness. Will he allow other people to invest in his campaign at 7.5 percent, or is he the only person worthy enough to get this interest rate? He suffers from the same moral deficit as Wall Street and the "me first" mind-set of Enron and AIG-type corporations.

The irony here is that a candidate from the Conservative Party, who has endeavored to create an aura of being more moral than the rest of us, made a decision that is morally indefensible. He shows no insight or forethought into how his decisions can negatively impact other people, while at the same time demonstrating the blindness of narcissism as the 7.5 percent interest lines his pockets.

This decision is evidence of his moral weakness and fundamental lack of understanding of right and wrong. This is certainly not what I am looking for in my congressman.

It would be wise to evaluate all candidates to see which ones show an understanding of right and wrong by evaluating what they do. We need someone to listen, be fair and appreciate the concept of mutual respect, even, or perhaps especially, when there is a difference of opinion. This echoes the sentiment of a well-known quote: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Good judgment isn't simply knowing what is right. It is doing what is right. Mr. Hoffman just doesn't get it.

June Dewhirst

Gouverneur