"With No Malice"©2012
A General Interest Opinion Column by an opinionated person.
Vic Topmiller Jr
10/2512
Government, part 42
WORDS
'They sing. They hurt. They teach. They sanctify. They were man's first, immeasurable feat of magic.
They liberated us from ignorance and our barbarous past.' Leo Rosten.
Is It Really About Jobs? (or the economy?)
Much Deeper Than That.
"Accountability"
"Is it only for the other people?"
It is amazing to me that some are held accountable while others are not. You and I for instance are constantly called upon the carpet for something we said, should have said, should not have said, should have done or should not have done. Sometimes, we're called on the carpet for things we didn't do or even didn't know were done. Well, for some folks, they are held up to a higher standard than others even though they didn't know they were or even care to be. Isn't that funny? Who decides about standardizing folks? Why is this the case? Is it fair? What should be the criteria that folks are held accountable on?
It seems to me, no, that isn't correct. It is a fact that the higher the office, whether in normal life, as in a parent or persuader of other folks, or especially as a politician, should be entrusted by an electorate to use his best faculties, judgments, and ambitions for the betterment of the folks he or she promised to protect.
So in these are those whom I would hold to a higher standard than other folks who are just doing their daily thing and not caring to benefit from the fray-church pastor who is claiming to lead the flock in the Christian way; school teacher who is entrusted with the minds and intellect of our kids and the future of the nation and the world; a politician who has been given the confidence of the country by election and has promised by oath under God to be a sacrificial leader with his constituency held in first place above himself and all others.
These are not necessarily listed in the order of priority but could be, while on the other hand they may be evenly vested with honor and accountability. But for me, I would rate them by the amount of trust that has been assigned to their purpose.
I rated a Pastor in the group because I have seen so many that just couldn't maintain the high standard and expectations that the folks put on him and when the folks least expected it he became just another sinful soul. Well, it's too bad, but after all, the job description didn't state that celestial morals had to be embedded in his soul. The problem ends up being not that the Pastor took the dive, but that so many people had assigned to him impeccable characteristics that when he lost it they lost it also. So a pastor should be held more accountable because of the influence he has on other people's lives.
I especially put the teacher in the group because, first of all, I have so many teachers in my family, and secondly, because I am aware of how important teachers have been in my own life. Some teachers. Stop for a moment and reflect on the teachers that have been instrumental in getting you to where you are right now. Remember those that stand out. Of course, that's why they stand out. So, how many? Let's say out of ten how many. Two? Five? More? Now measure the reasons why these teachers that affected your life in these positive ways stand out. But what about all of the teachers that couldn't put the value of the student above their own pleasure and laziness? Shouldn't teachers be held accountable?
Politicians. I could have made this accountability essay just about politicians. If there is a group, past and present, that should be held accountable it is these guys. Both good and bad. The priorities have changed over the years. It's not about accountability or integrity any more; it's about getting re-elected. Yes, it is true, no values are required except the value of getting re-elected. Think I'm wrong? Have you heard the election verbiage lately? Have you detected the lies, half-truths and deflections spewing from the media?
Do you know what is really sick about the political thing? We the people join in with the crap thinking it OK as long as our guy wins.
And don't you know that if a guy lies to anyone for any reason he is a liar – he lies because he lies – whether it is about money, why his hand is in the cookie jar, using deceit for personal gain and of course making promises he can't and has no intention of keeping.
When DC and politics everywhere seems to be infested with liars and deceivers and if a liar can't be trusted whether in big or small issues, what should we do?
I've got a novel idea. If the politician, or any person in a position of trust, lies or displays a characteristic of deceit, let's withdraw from him our support and trust. Let's do the unthinkable-let's expose the person and then make every effort to dispose of him. (post haste)
"In the country of the blind the one-eyed king can still goof up." Laurence Peter.
That's My Opinion.
Have you thought about having leaders who are Patriots? Well, next time you will.
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Accountability—Is it only for other people?
- Category: With No Malice
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