Between scandals and this kind of stuff, I don't think our nation has ever had such a case of ethical bankruptcy.
The ethical bankruptcy existed during the late 19th century as this nation became industrialized. The new captains of industry exploited the workers to the max by importing immigrants to replace any attempts to strike, established company stores who sold the workers's family goods on easy credit (which the worker could not dig himself out easily), and black lists on any workers who complained. Unions and labor reform did not occur because of a mob of envious poor people against the self made successful millionaires of Guilded Age (late 19th Century US). Many workers had genuine grievances. Many of the labor reforms, anti trust acts and etc were ushered in by GOP President Theodore Roosevelt because he recognized that the government was needed to balance the industrialists and labor movement for the overall good of the country.