Personal consequence and leadership

**Is it unrealistic to expect that members of Congress would make decisions based, at least in part, on consequences to themselves or their families? Rep. Charles Rangel of New York thinks not. On CNN, Rangel said he wants to introduce legislation that would require all young people in the US, men and women with no exceptions, to serve in the military.

When you talk about a war, you're talking about ground troops, you're talking about enlisted people, and they don't come from the kids and members of Congress. . . . I believe that if those calling for war knew their children were more likely to be required to serve and to be placed in harm's way there would be more caution and a greater willingness to work with the international community in dealing with Iraq.

It’s an intriguing prospect, especially the part about including women in the draft. Makes one wonder how President Bush would feel, and what he might do differently, if his daughters would be required to be part of the armed forces that would storm Baghdad.

But this is simplistic. One would hope that enlightened leadership wouldn’t need personal consequence as a basis for decisions. Major policy decisions, especially with regard to foreign affairs, need to be made in a wider context including historical, legal, cultural, military and economic factors.

I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to a universal military draft, as it would be one way to insure that everyone would serve their country. But I would be worried if my government were acting on the basis of personal consequences to the individuals in charge. There’s already too much evidence of self-interest in that sphere.

I agree with Tom Black in his article in the Christian Science Sentinel (Jan. 6, 2003) that those who believe in the power of spirituality need to direct their prayers toward supporting the innate ability of policymakers to know and do the right thing.

. . . there are many people who instinctively believe that prayer can unfold God’s wisdom to the vox populi, reveal a wise and intelligent foreign policy for any country, and give policy-makers the wisdom, meekness, and courage to follow God’s direction rather than their own inclinations.

Doing the right thing doesn’t have to be the absolutely best and final right thing -- that smacks of arrogance and self-righteousness. Mary Baker Eddy believed that

Wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest right under the circumstances, and thence achieves the absolute.(Mis 288:13)

All I ask is that decisions involving the general welfare of the country and the world be made from a higher perspective than personal consequence. And that’s what I’m praying for.