Ethics and Consequences

It is natural to weigh ones self, family, tribe, community, nation, race, gender, sexual orientation, political party, religion and generation as more worthy, righteous or deserving than others. This natural tendency is reinforced by education, tradition, media and leaders. Consider school spirit, evangelism, patriotism. We want to win; we want our children and our groups to win. Many think God wants the same things.
Ethical theories and teachings urge us to restrain this natural tendency, ie to care about the well being of others, including those outside our circles, to heed and practice the Golden Rule. They urge us to consider our choices objectively from the viewpoint of others affected, and they provide some mental experiments to help. For example, one may examine a choice by asking whether it would be good if most others made the same choice under similar circumstances. With respect to public policy, we can ask what choice we would support if we didn't know our status or group. Ethical behavior is the price we pay for a happier civilization on an hospitable earth.
Policy decisions often have long-term detrimental effects, and reasonable policy must await a crisis. Consider: 1) Our interference in Iran's politics in the 50s; 2) Deregulation of industries and globalization in the 80s and since; 3) An economy that depends on waste, deficit spending, population expansion, imported labor; 4) Failure to use all means at our disposal to encourage and support gender equality and family planning worldwide; 5) Failure to develop renewable-energy technology, energy-efficient codes and energy-efficient land-use planning; 6) Preemptive war on a nation that posed no immediate existential threat.