Principles and Interest
The economy was given center stage in the 2008 Presidential election during the last two or three months of the campaign. It can be argued that matters of the wallet are the central focus in most elections at all levels. While the war on terror, more specifically wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, may have taken a back seat to economic issues late in the game, time tested strategies of blaming the party holding the White House resulted in the ‘hope and change’ mantra from the left taking a lesser role to the ‘four more years of’ argument directed at the right. Even though the incumbent was barred from re-election by term limits. John McCain by virtue of his party affiliation was painted as another George Bush term while the Democratic party candidate was portrayed as the superior choice without evidence to support the claim.
The facts or opinions outlined above point to politics. While that may seem obvious there is a tendency to focus on politics and ignore the larger task of governing. Even in election campaigns the notion of a candidate’s ability to govern is discussed but typically gives way to a political analysis of that ability rather than a serious search for proof of those attributes which suggest or indicate the direction the nation may take if one candidate is selected over another. So we ultimately select this nation’s leader based on politics rather than principles. Much, if not all, of what happens in government or the act of governing is driven by politics rather than principles. Again, this may seem obvious to anyone reading this. But the question of why do we allow this to continue is what really matters. As well as finding a way to alter this sad state of affairs.
A recent post and discussion on this blog as well as a parallel circumstance at Perri Nelson’s Website is responsible for this particular post. Now that the 2008 election is history and some try to take stock of what will now happen the idea of ramping down political discussions in favor of those which focus on principle and the founding of our United States of America may help focus attention to what should guide the governing of this great nation. While politicians get the lion’s share of criticism, and rightly so, for allowing politics and personal agendas to dominate the act of governing the public shares that guilt by allowing their own bias toward personal gain to influence all they do including decisions made at the ballot box.
This brief introduction on what topics will be featured here more often than in the recent past will conclude with a quote from the show West Wing which some liked to rename Left Wing. ‘We are all guilty so no one’s to blame’. If memory serves, the character, President Jed Bartlett played by Martin Sheen, said that while talking to his Chief of Staff on whether or not he would concede a Congressional censure for lying to the public. The point is the quote. He said that while making the larger point that no one takes responsibility for their actions. You could stop after ‘we are all guilty’. We are. And we need to do something about it. A good place to start is revisit what is important. An example would be what is important for the country rather than self. We have the freedom to act as individuals in our own best interest. So acting as individuals in what is in the country’s best interest should not be a stretch. We need more of that if we expect others to do the same. The more of us who do, the better off we will all be.
Insufficient as it is that ends this post on principle. Unfortunately, other obligations require this to be continued later. Please stay tuned.
Stanford Matthews
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