An Approach to the Problems in Washington

It is obvious that the status-quo at our nation’s capital doesn’t seem to be working very well.  Although I do not delude myself into thinking that the ‘radical’ idea that follows would be considered panacea to our government’s ills by very many of our current political leaders, I am persuaded that this approach—a different paradigm—might well be considered.  I submit the reinstatement of this idea as a necessary and fundamental cornerstone to the rebuilding of an effective government edifice—but it would only be considered by a different type of man or woman.

I am fully aware of the pride and self-serving and patron-serving nature of many or most of the people who hold public office.  Have you ever really thought about how only those who have bought their office or the moneyed interests that has bought its candidate holds power?  How do we find the man or woman whose motive really is the good of the country and the perpetuation of the ideals upon which it was founded?  Until the mentality, allegiance and character of our typical office holder is reformed, or those people are supplanted by a group of people with a higher vision, we have little hope. 

Great change (for good or ill) has always been catalyzed by “a voice crying in the wilderness.”  Let me suggest a very good “voice” as counterpoint for a starting point.  Foundational would be consideration of a scripture that many have heard but probably forgotten or dismissed: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: let him return unto the Lord….  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord…my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) The next four verses of that prophetic chapter then give God’s promise to those who align their thoughts with the Lords thoughts and ways. 

The ‘Ways and Means’ committee in the House of Representatives and the 'Senate Committee on Finance' and general leadership of the major political parties might well consider getting the influence of deity back into the equation that our founding fathers relied upon in the very founding of our nation.  
  

A colorful way of expressing the approach I suggest was made over eighty years ago (during the Great Depression) by one of my heroes, Orson F. Whitney:

            “What do you suppose is the matter with this sick world at the present time?  The matter is that it has turned away from God and exalted the material over the spiritual.  Like the dog in the fable, crossing the brook with a piece of meat in its mouth, and losing it in an attempt to possess what looked like another piece of meat in the mouth of another dog, but which was only a vain reflection of himself in the water—even so this selfish, greedy, money-loving world has grasped at the shadow and lost the substance.  As a result [to change the metaphor] the Ship of Human Progress is lopsided and in danger of going on the rocks.  The cargo, unevenly bestowed, has unbalanced the vessel, and the pilot has been thrown overboard. 

         “Right the ship, ye would-be arbiters of human destiny!  Right the ship!  Put the temporal under hatches, and place the spiritual at the helm, where it belongs; and the danger will disappear.  That is the panacea, and there will be no relief—no permanent relief from the evils that afflict and threaten this world  until that sovereign remedy is applied; until proud, self-sufficient man, acknowledging his own weakness and his own folly, turns to the Source of all power and all wisdom….”  

Now there’s an idea that probably hasn’t been considered by either the left or the right.  Maybe because it isn’t left or right—but ‘up!’ 

I am glad I belong to a church of millions of people who have this foundational influence cited by the prophet Isaiah not only in its foundation but in every part of the structure of its organization. The result is a church that has no campaigning for office, no infighting, no debt, and no scandal.  And it is thriving. There is a model for good government.

Wouldn’t that be something in a secular government?  On the other hand, maybe it wouldn’t be so extraordinary if our government truly represented “one nation (and political leadership), under God….”  But then it wouldn’t be a totally secular government, would it?  And isn’t this where we started?

(My 07 July 2013 posting addressed this fundamental topic in greater detail but not many of my readers read it; it is obvious that no one in Washington read it.)