Which statement is an unethical rationalization that acts as a barrier to problem-solving?

• A. Loyalty to colleagues comes before anything else.
• B. The public is weak and the enemy.
• C. Due process is a barrier to getting the job done.
• D. Lying is okay if it means getting the bad guy.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is recognizing when a supposed obstacle is being used to dodge doing the right thing. Saying due process is a barrier to getting the job done is an unethical rationalization because it casts a vital safeguard—fair procedure and lawful rules—as a hindrance. In truth, due process protects rights, ensures evidence is reliable, and keeps actions accountable. Following it guides effective problem-solving in a way that’s just and durable; bypassing it invites arbitrary choices, erodes trust, and can lead to wrongful outcomes. The other attitudes describe problematic mindsets or actions—relying on loyalty over duty, dehumanizing the public or the enemy, or lying to get a result—but the statement about due process most clearly represents a rationalization that blocks proper problem-solving.