Let’s respect those willing to serve

Published 6:00 am Sunday, January 6, 2013

As a handful of our fellow citizens step forward into the local political arena, let’s all be mindful of the apostle Paul’s teaching about governing leadership. In Romans 13 Paul writes: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”

     Too often today we are quick to assert wrongdoing when it comes to those in politics whose views might differ from our own. And as reporters of the news, we are expected to be skeptical of those in authority. Finley Peter Dunne, a humorist, coined the phrase often used in journalism circles: “The job of the newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” In truth however, our job isn’t to comfort or afflict, but rather to seek the truth and report the facts so that an informed community can make conscientious decisions for self-governing.

     A skeptic by nature, I want to believe those who put themselves forth to serve in public office do so because they, themselves, believe that they can and will make a difference in their community and in the lives of their constituency. Can they really make a difference for the good? History will be judge. Do they do so out of self-gratification? Yes, whether that self-gratification is altruistic or selfish pride. Either way it takes a certain amount of ego to put oneself up in the public limelight, irrespective of the political stage on which they step. 

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     Regardless of our political differences, we should always honor our candidates and elected politicians with the respect deserving of those who pledge to serve. We need to understand sometimes these well-meaning citizens make mistakes. Sometimes they make momentous mistakes and sometimes they are downright negligent.

     Should errors in judgment by our leaders be brought to light? Absolutely. Not always or necessarily to condemn, but rather in an effort to correct. We all make mistakes. We all have our shortcomings.

      Unfortunately, those same egos that got an individual into office in the first place may not be so willing to let those shortcomings show. But, as a community, we flourish through knowledge and understanding and by supporting one another – talking about the good and the bad while seeking solutions rather than excuses. 

     On the other hand, sometimes these same leaders, despite how altruistic their initial intents may have been, can allow their authority to be misused in violation of our trust. Another old saying by Lord Acton is, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

      That’s where the eye and the voice of the skeptic play their role in the checks and balance of our democratic system. In those few rare cases, we are obliged to act to remove that authority. Thankfully, I trust, such cases are few and far between.

     So as we head toward our local elections, let’s remember to respect and honor our friends and neighbors who so willingly sacrifice to the political stage to serve on our behalf. And let’s also remember what else Paul said about supporting our leadership in 1 Timothy 2: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

     Rick Reynolds is president/publisher of The Daily Leader. Contact him at rreynolds@dailyleader.com.