The Importance of Common Values (Part 1)

In light of recent increases in both the trust in business and trust in government sub-indices of the American Dream Composite Index, we are left to ponder possible reasons for these changing sentiments.  While the precise reasons are likely many and varied, and fairly difficult to discern accurately, there are informed insights on the part of educators, business leaders, and students (among others) that may prove illuminating.  A recent report by the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics, for instance, suggests that an important component of public trust in business is the creation of mutual values and interests across these two entities.  Are such common values and/or interests beginning to take shape?  If so, what are these values and interests?  And, if such values and interests still allude us, what should or will they be?