Oh, to be rich! The mere word itself conjures up images of both power and ecstasy. Since the earliest days of recorded history, money has proven itself to be the most schizophrenic commodity in the world. From the executives at the top to those of us who suffer from financial embarrassment, it is a symbol of both good and evil. It is necessary for life and a worthy pursuit. In our great nation, we have the opportunity to follow our dreams of fame and fortune. For those who make it through the corridors of power, it is not serendipitous - it takes hard work and true grit.

With driving ambition and keen intuitive sense, they accept the enormous responsibilities that their position demands. It is difficult for me to understand why people whose career and reputation, once built on talent and trust, would allow themselves to be caught in an imbroglio which would change their lives forever.

It has been my observation that besides going to war, nothing grabs the news headlines with more intensity than corporate malfeasance. Whether fair or not, visions of executives drunk with power and sickening excesses garner little or no sympathy with the common folk and represent the quintessential examples of greed and arrogance. Perhaps characterizing people in this way is much too simplistic, given the fact that there are countless examples of people in lofty positions who manage to keep their integrity.

For those who do not, the road ahead is replete with countless meetings with attorneys, sleepless nights and hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees - all in the hope of getting away with it. Like the sword of Damocles, the prospect of going to jail, if convicted, is very real.

Finally, the newly fallen could probably never admit publicly that they have engaged in any wrongdoing. As Pollyanna-ish as it may sound, it would be well for us to recognize the human side of leadership. After all, it is never too late for redemption.

At the end of the day, there is a good chance that both you and I won't be arriving home from work in a fancy car or limousine. Perhaps we won't have a lavish gift for our spouse. Most definitely, we won't be dining in a posh eatery with people gawking at us because of who we are. Instead, what we will bring home is a sense of decency and self-respect. Happily, these virtues when lost - can be found. Oddly enough, they cannot be bought.

Nope, not for all the money in the world.

Diane Terri-Vincent