I "teach" ethics. I've taught ethics classes hundreds of timesto thousands of insurance professionals from every segment of ourindustry. I teach it because many state CE laws require them totake it so it works out great for me. I get paid to say things likethis: "You are required by state law to take ethics training. Howdoes that make you feel?"

I've heard hundreds of people tell me why they think usinsurance folk have to take ethics. And these discussions can turninto shouting matches. At a recent class, an agent from Georgiafilibustered about how Ethics is regional and that people becomemore reptilian the farther north they reside and that he has proof.Another agent in the same class - a transplant from Jersey - firedback that he never knew people to be unethical until his career"forced" him below the Mason-Dixon line. It was fantastictheatre.

I just got off another road show, and yes, there were ethicsclasses involved. The reason I'm writing about this is because,once again, the common theme surfaced. I'll call it the "ethics isa generational thing" theme. It's the one them that resurfaces inevery single class in every single city in which I teach.

I ask the class what they think about ethics and someone whoI'll describe as a "seasoned vet" says something similar to whatthis woman in my last class said. "I don't know about all thisethics stuff," she said. "But I'll tell you one thing: It'sdeteriorated over time." It's at this point that the other seasonedvets in the room nod their heads in silent agreement, a by osmosislesson to the scatter of young professionals in the room. "We'reonly taking this nonsense because of you," is the message they firein the direction of those dang whippersnappers clearly responsiblefor the downfall of ethics in insurance and society as we know it."Back in my day people cared about how they treated each other,"they say in unison.

It's clear that young insurance professionals have the deckstacked against them, not only because of the learning curve butbecause apparently those who have gone before are convinced thatyoung agents have no ethical boundaries. So here's a question foryou, oh young professionals of the industry: how does that make youfeel?