Public service is a calling

From "365 Daily Treasures of Wisdom"

... Thou, Almighty, Who art with me, yea, before I am with Thee. To such then whom Thou commandest me to serve will I discover, not what I have been, but what I now am and what I yet am. But neither do I judge myself. Thus therefore I would be heard.

Saint Augustine (354-430A.D.)

Service is the highest calling of God. Jesus exhorts, "Love God with your whole heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." Hence, the term for our own legislators as 'public servants'. All eligible candidates for- and holders of- public office feel a calling to serve their community; and by serving others they, creatures of God, serves themselves. By serving others we do not judge ourselves but speak to God.

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Intellectual hatred

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

An intellectual hatred is the worst.

W. B. Yeats, 'A Prayer for My Daughter', 1919

A legislature, such as the US Congress, is a deliberative body during its legislative process; the president may deliberate with Congress during a bill's debates. In the interest of the public, an intellectual curiosity must be sustained until a final bill is passed or failed. The federal government must reflect the diversity of opinion of the people at all times- a thorough understanding of the bill in question, reception of constituents' input, arms-length advise from experts and an open legislative process are critical to a well-thought-out final vote.


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Ordinary selves

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

Everything in our political life tends to hide from us that there is anything wiser than our ordinary selves.

Matthew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, 1869

The great danger is that our "ordinary selves" in politics is anything less than the highest ethics and morals. Noone gets past themselves in the legislative process without losing his integrity and thus his actions.

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Great affairs

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

There are no small steps in great affairs.

Cardinal De Retz, Memoirs, 1673-6

I think of great legislative initiatives that require intense debate and time. That could be declarations of war, fundamental tax system reform and government social services reform. Rash and awkward completion of great initiatives are borne with problems right away.

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