Who Should Be President?

Like everyone, I've got my own opinions about how things in this country should be run. I'm not an expert in politics, but I turned 18 in 1971, which by coincidence was the year the amendment to lower the voting age to 18 was passed. That means I've been voting for over 50 years now. I remember being aware of politics as far back as the early 60's when my mother told me to listen to one of President Kennedy's speeches because he was "a very important man." I listened. He had a funny accent (my keen observation of politics was sharp even then).

The men who wrote the Declaration of Independence concluded that document by saying: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Those men knew, of course, that their lives and their fortunes were very much at risk if the Revolution failed, but it's the last item on the list I believe needs attention. Those men placed their honor at risk as well, and they treasured their honor as much as they valued their own lives and fortunes. It was "sacred." Over 2000 years ago, Publicis Syrus asked a very good question: "What is left when honor has been lost?"

What indeed?

We could amend the famous story of Diogenes whose search for an honest man resulted only in finding rascals and scoundrels, to a search for an honorable person in politics. What sort of person would that be, I wonder, and why is he or she in politics in the first place?

It has become the practice of many of us to "vote for the lesser of two evils." Some vote against one person or party rather than researching the one who receives their precious vote. It's a cynical attitude, yet we've become so dis-enamored with the quality of those running for political office we've ceased believing in some of the things the Founding Fathers held as essential to the very foundation of our country. We don't believe in honor anymore. We certainly don't believe our politicians, in general, are honorable people. Scandals aside, what do you genuinely know about the people running for office these days?

I'm not implying, of course, that everyone in politics is dishonorable, but I'm reminded of a very special movie you should watch if you haven’t seen it. It’s not on television very often these days, but it does show up now and then. If not, you can always rent it. It’s well worth watching. That movie is "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

If you’re not familiar with the story, Jimmy Stewart's character, Jefferson Smith, is chosen to replace a U.S. Senator who has died in office. Now, Mr. Smith is a naive fellow, who is excited about the Washington Monument, reverential at the Lincoln Memorial, and eager to do something special for the youth of America. His plan comes into conflict with those of the political machine that got him selected in the first place. They thought he’d be easy to control. When he proposes a national site for a boy’s camp that also happened to be where they wanted to put a dam that would make them all rich if it was built, they fought back by spreading lies about him and fostering a letter-writing campaign to have him removed from office. As the perverse efforts of that political machine bear upon him unmercifully, he's tempted to give up. Even his supporters urge him to quit. But he doesn't quit.

Why?

Because he’s right. The naive young man who treasured the ideals that made his country great came up against greed and power and corruption, and he knew all the lies and threats couldn't stand up to the truth. He was going to tell the truth if it killed him. It almost did. At the conclusion of the movie, he’s conducting a filibuster in the Senate. After losing his voice and energy, he collapses in exhaustion. But, never fear. It’s a Frank Capra movie, so it ends happily as one of the leaders of the opposition declares him innocent. But the point of the entire movie is clear. If you believe something is right, you'll stand up to the Devil himself and declare it.

Just one more quick thought.

In the musical "Man of La Mancha," the story of the insane man tilting at windmills is summed up in the song, "The Impossible Dream." Listen to it, and you'll hear phrases like "fighting the unbeatable foe," and "to fight for the right without question or pause." When was the last time you saw a politician trying to "right the unrightable wrong" or "running where the brave dare not go?" The only thing that made Don Quixote seem mad was his belief that he could make the world a better place. His willingness to do what was necessary to accomplish that goal added to that perception. He viewed it as an unreachable star, but the fact it was unreachable didn't mean he was going to stop trying to reach it. After all: "This is my quest, to follow that star, No matter how hopeless, No matter how far."

We need more Jefferson Smiths and Don Quixotes.

Maybe a few will show up in the next election.

Take care and be safe.

cma