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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Why nobody good wants to run for public office
Exodus 18 gives Americans a basis for representative government. Moses stood before the people and served as their judge from morning unto evening, making them know the statutes of God and his laws. But Moses' father in law Jethro said that this was too heavy a task to perform alone. Jethro gave him advice in verse 21: "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." This good advice would serve us well in selecting good leaders, but unfortunately, the human factor creeps in and discourages good leaders from seeking to lead.
In 1792, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson had such disagreements on foreign policy and financial policy that the two split into factions, leading to the formation of political parties, the Federalists led by Hamilton, and the Republicans led by Jefferson. While the split on how the Constitution was interpreted regarding foreign and domestic policy was deep, the rift grew to a deep personal chasm between the two. Both established party-line newspapers and set about to accuse one another of being a danger to the existence of the United States--they called into question one another's honor, morals and integrity.
Insomuch as we have today a candidate of color who stands accused of sexual harassment and other unproven charges by people with intimate connections to the opposing party illustrates why good people dare not toss their hat in the arena of public politics. Whether it was Clarence Thomas or Herman Cain, the opposition paraded thinly veiled connectors before the public to discredit these men in the most personally demeaning way that could be considered racist if reporters were being fair to both sides. Notwithstanding, candidates of color or not face not only scrutiny on their professional and personal lives, they often face dredged up allegations of the worse possible nature just for headline value.
The laws are such that it is nearly impossible to prove slander or libel against a public figure. When it comes down to it, no man or woman with great integrity would count the costs and enter politics as a candidate without great reservations. Many a good leader chooses not to put family and reputation through the process. So when you think about it, could it be that Americans get bad leaders because the majority of those who will subject themselves to the process care so little about what people think about them that they can easily take the public hits? Are we missing good leadership because we not only allow, but thrive on the gossip rather than the true content of character?
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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