Ethics question

[Tenka]

What do you think of leaving food and water for illegal border crossers from Mexico? or distributing condoms to prostitutes working illegally?

 

[katautumn]

Well, on the first question I'm really torn. Many of the people who illegally cross the border are running from Mexico because they are felons in their own country. I would hate to be the one who offered sustinance to a person who later came into the country and raped and murdered little girls. Of course, that is a worst case scenario.

As far as offering condoms to prostitutes, I don't see anything wrong with that. In fact, I think that is a good idea.

 

[loriersea]

I think it is a good thing to do, ethically, in both cases.

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

I think that it is good to do in both cases.

 

[ChristianCenturion]

What do you think of leaving food and water for illegal border crossers from Mexico? or distributing condoms to prostitutes working illegally?

A participation that is a conflict of interest.

 

[chipmunk]

*grins* I don't live on the border, but I do know illegal immmigrants (not all from Mexico). I have upon occasion fed them, dined with them, and played with their kids. None of the illegal immigrants I know are running because they are felons in their own countries, but because there are problems living in their countries. Most of the ones I know have been put in touch with the appropriate people to help them become legal.

I don't distribute condoms, but if for some reason I was asked for them and for whatever reason I had some on me, I would give one away. I don't usually carry condoms though. I haven't been asked for them either. Aren't there public clinics they can go to get them for free? I don't find the practice itself to be bad.

 

[comana]

Both cases could use a little compassion, definately ethical.

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

What do you think of leaving food and water for illegal border crossers from Mexico? or distributing condoms to prostitutes working illegally?

I think it's kind of wrong, because you are encouraging and helping them do wrong.

 

[Redneck Crow]

I think it's kind of wrong, because you are encouraging and helping them do wrong.

I agree.

 

[TeddyKGB]

I think it's kind of wrong, because you are encouraging and helping them do wrong.

Do you think your actions will have any significant effect on whether or not they "do wrong"?

 

[kopilo]

Depending on the situation, can be immoral, humane or both.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

What do you think of leaving food and water for illegal border crossers from Mexico?

It's not a problem to me. I would help them out, even though I don't agree with what they are doing. Besides, the U.S. Constitution was founded by children of illegal immigrants.

or distributing condoms to prostitutes working illegally?

This one I'm torn on. I think the more appropriate response would be for me to help these women find a better job, and help them in whatever way I can. Giving them condoms may help them have "safe" sex, but it's also condoning what they do and does not assist with the root problem.

 

[Moros]

What do you think of leaving food and water for illegal border crossers from Mexico? or distributing condoms to prostitutes working illegally?

Food and water should be made available at legal border checkpoints.

Birth control should always be accessable.

 

[Tenka]

I think it's kind of wrong, because you are encouraging and helping them do wrong.

This one I'm torn on. I think the more appropriate response would be for me to help these women find a better job, and help them in whatever way I can. Giving them condoms may help them have "safe" sex, but it's also condoning what they do and does not assist with the root problem.

I had considered these both, but my thoughts were that;

It is not my responsibility or right to enforce the law.
It is not within my power to address the root problems that lead to these peoples choices.
But, it is definately within almost anyones power to do these small things that save lives. A dead person might break no laws but only a living one has any potential.

Here is another example, would you dress the wounds of an enemy soldier? It isn't within your power to stop the war, it isn't within your power to address the reason that soldier is there but you can do this one thing to save a man's life.

I don't see it as saving an illegal immigrant, condoning prostitution or aiding the enemy or whatever..it's just preserving the life of another human being.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Here is another example, would you dress the wounds of an enemy soldier? It isn't within your power to stop the war, it isn't within your power to address the reason that soldier is there but you can do this one thing to save a man's life.

Yes I would dress the wounds of an enemy combatant, as would all other Marines as well. We are taught that, and the military is more than compassionate with the enemy.

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

I had considered these both, but my thoughts were that;

It is not my responsibility or right to enforce the law.
It is not within my power to address the root problems that lead to these peoples choices.
But, it is definately within almost anyones power to do these small things that save lives. A dead person might break no laws but only a living one has any potential.

Here is another example, would you dress the wounds of an enemy soldier? It isn't within your power to stop the war, it isn't within your power to address the reason that soldier is there but you can do this one thing to save a man's life.

I don't see it as saving an illegal immigrant, condoning prostitution or aiding the enemy or whatever..it's just preserving the life of another human being.

Yes, I would dress the wounds. However, that enemy solider isn't going against the law and me helping the soldier isn't helping him break more laws.

Helping people is good, but if helping them makes it easier and gives them more of an excuse to do wrong and encourages others because they know they will get help, is it really a good thing? I don't think so. It may not be our problem w/ enforcing the law, but it is our responsibility to do what is in our power to uphold the law.

 

[kopilo]

Yes, I would dress the wounds. However, that enemy solider isn't going against the law and me helping the soldier isn't helping him break more laws.

WW2 in Japan, it would have been considered traitory and any japanese civilian could have possibly died for it. The enemy soldier just being in Japan would have been breaking the law.

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

WW2 in Japan, it would have been considered traitory and any japanese civilian could have possibly died for it. The enemy soldier just being in Japan would have been breaking the law.

Well, I'm talking about in this time being an American if it was me.

 

[kopilo]

Well, I'm talking about in this time being an American if it was me.

That's not the point I'm trying to make... Maybe along the lines of if it was against the law to help an injured soilder, and it was illegal for that solider to exists in your country, would you still help them.

I always find it hard to explain.. but put it this way if I give a busker or homeless person money in the street, it is because I am showing them respect and trust that they will do with it as they please. I guessing you have a different view on that.

Once again depending on the situation, some prostitues may not believe they can attain medical help, or some may be used as slave labour, in either case, giving them some sort of safety is proberly more humane then helping them commit a crime.

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

That's not the point I'm trying to make... Maybe along the lines of if it was against the law to help an injured soilder, and it was illegal for that solider to exists in your country, would you still help them.

I always find it hard to explain.. but put it this way if I give a busker or homeless person money in the street, it is because I am showing them respect and trust that they will do with it as they please. I guessing you have a different view on that.

Once again depending on the situation, some prostitues may not believe they can attain medical help, or some may be used as slave labour, in either case, giving them some sort of safety is proberly more humane then helping them commit a crime.

Giving money to a homeless person vs. giving money/ help to someone who is commitings crimes is a different story.