Kenneth Lay: Another Modern Greek Tragedy
It has been reported today that founder and former head of Enron, Kenneth Lay, has died of a heart attack. Some perhaps see this as getting off easy, since Lay never spent a moment in jail. However, his conviction and punishment has only now begun.As I reflect on this whole story, I am saddened when I think about not only the thousands who were robbed by this man and whose lives were virtually destroyed, but of Lay, himself.
How terrible to be so entrapped by your own greed that you would lie, cheat and steal from perhaps hundreds of thousands in order to keep up appearances and put yourself at the top. Even at his trial, Lay justified spending $200,000 on a yacht for his wife's birthday by saying, "it was difficult to turn off that lifestyle like a spigot." That was in spite of the fact that he was already $100 million dollars in personal debt.
As I thought about the tragedy of the life Lay ended with, I read this of his upbringing:
Lay was born in Tyrone, Mo. and spent his childhood helping his family make ends meet. His father ran a general store and sold stoves until he became a minister. Lay delivered newspapers and mowed lawns to pitch in.How much better to struggle to make ends meet, running a general store but able to live with yourself by day and sleep peacefully at night than to end in ruin because of your own depravity and self-centeredness.
Any way you slice it, the story of Kenneth Lay is a tragedy. I just wonder how many more Ken Lays-in-waiting there are right now, making their millions, doing whatever it takes to get ahead, knowing in the back of their head the day of their own demise lies somewhere just over the horizon.
Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Psalm 37:1-2
Technorati Tags: Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 7/05/2006 01:33:00 PM
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2 Comments:
I highly recommend "Conspiracy of Fools" by Kurt Eichenwald. Fascinating account of the Enron scandal.
As for Lay, I think there are many just like him, but a sad story nonetheless.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check it out.
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