Serving The Good Of The Cause
When I was a child, I was excited to be able to shovel the snow for the benefit of my dad, then subsequently, to be able to mow the lawn. The desire to be a team member is within us. In kindergarten, I wanted to learn how to get along. And when I participated in sports, we learned and enjoyed subordinating our personal desires for the sake of the team. The desire to serve “the good of the cause” becomes part of our DNA.
As we enter adulthood, we learn of opportunities to serve: being a little league coach, serving as an elder in a church, being a member of a service club, serving on the homeowners (HOA) board, contributing time and funds to charities. When we do so, our visibility increases and more opportunities can arise. I’m reminded of Ben Franklin, who I consider the founding Grand Father of our founding fathers, stated, “never seek public office, if asked to serve, never decline, if elected, never resign.”
So true politics is serving the good of the cause, an act of selfless service. Although it is not popular in today’s world there are constant examples of serving the good of the cause; Los Angeles judge Alfred Gitelson in 1970 was told that if he ruled in favor of integration, he would be removed from office. He ordered Los Angeles schools to integrate, was defeated in the next election and is known as the busing judge. Al Gore’s father, a US senator, was told that if he voted for the civil rights bill, he would lose the next election. He missed the election. These men stood for causes benefitting others, no matter what their personal consequence.
I used to think being a stand-up comedian would be the most challenging job in the world. Now, I think the hardest job in the world is being of political service in a highly polluted environment.
Rich Meyer, Blogger & Author
