What is our country going to look like 25 to 50 years from now if the current attitude of “most anything goes” or “most anything is accepted” is allowed to grow and infect every facet of our society?

It is happening today in college sports, politics, local, state and national government, in education and law enforcement — in almost every field of activity.

The name of the game seems to be: Do whatever you can to win, even if it means cheating or not telling the truth.

Several weeks ago, one of this nation’s most successful, and probably most admired and winning, college basketball programs was censored by the NCAA. The Syracuse University coach and team and, in a way, the university itself were hammered with major penalties. How many other schools are allowing the same behavior?

Several months ago, top officials at the business school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City were found guilty of falsifying records and achievements in order to gain prestige and national recognition of their school.

Numerous examples are coming out of Washington, D.C., where elected and appointed officials are guilty of not telling the truth.

In raw, win-at-any-cost, partisan political efforts, the name of the game is to “win.” Once a candidate wins, penalties for cheating or not playing fair usually are merely a slap on the wrist. Again, winning is what is important.

The phony grade situation at the University of North Carolina causes many to question the honesty of university officials who should have known and acknowledged what was going on rather than suggest all the blame should be placed on the shoulders of coaches and players.

The host of a Kansas City radio sports program recently commented on the record of a former college coach, who had become coach of a professional team. Noting the coach’s winning college record, the commentator said the coach probably had gotten by with some questionable or illegal actions, but added, “Who doesn’t do these things these days?”

More and more questions are being raised these days about the lack of leadership in our society and why the public doesn’t respect those in senior government positions. Could one of the reasons be that the public is being given more and more evidence on which to question whether these political leaders are telling the truth?

In happens with those in both the Republican and Democratic parties, with winning elections or staying in power being the primary motivation, rather than true public service.

Consider the situation Hillary Clinton faces, with the public divided on whether she is telling the truth. What does it say when the honesty of a former secretary of state and a leading presidential candidate is being seriously questioned?

Those who like and admire Clinton and want the Democratic Party to retain the presidency are likely to think she is telling the complete truth, or at least part of the truth. Those who oppose Clinton, who do not like her for one reason or another, probably are sure she is not being truthful when testifying before Congress or in her handling of the recent email controversy.

Again, it happens in both the Democratic and GOP ranks.

Once a coach, a chancellor, a governor, mayor, city manager, contractors, law enforcement officials, members of Congress, state legislators, federal officeholders, senior White House officials, IRS agents or anyone in a position of public office and trust are found to have lied, how can they be trusted in the future?

It is a dangerous situation for our country. We must have a society that respects those in leadership positions, particularly those in government and those in law enforcement and judicial positions.

What is needed for Americans to demand honesty and serious punishment for those who deliberately mislead the public?