IS IT ETHICAL FOR CONSULTING FIRMS TO MAKE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES THAT CAN DIRECTLY AFFECT ENGINEERING CONTRACTS

Political contributions that affect engineering contracts inhibit true competition among consulting firms. This essay argues that it is unethical for consulting firms to make contributions to political candidates who can be directly connected to engineering contracts since such contributions put professional standards at risk. Unethical contributions will devalue the profession. Honest practices satisfy the Engineering Professional Community, the State Board of Engineering Registration, the principles of our government, the country, and its people. Unethical contributions and dishonest practices will devalue a consulting firm's reputation and integrity at the national and possibly international level.