SUNDAY THOUGHTS: UNETHICAL LEADERSHIP

“Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence: when it helps us to see the enemy’s point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For, from his view, we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.” 

~The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


I had to stop watching C-Span. 

I felt myself getting angry, as one representative after another, pleaded for the continued health of American citizens, and their access to affordable care, while others seemed to gloat and grin; energized in their anxiousness to dismantle The Affordable Care Act. 

Their smug faces reflected glee at the thought of wreaking havoc in the lives of millions, while they and their families enjoy security, and excellent health care packages themselves.

 
I was convinced, as I watched, that there are leaders who are serving in Congress who are not there to serve citizens. Their eyes and ears are closed. They aren't interested in facts or truth. They don't want to learn. They don't want to find common ground. Their hearts are hard. 

There were grossly conflicting statistics, and conflicting testimonials. Citizens were testifying on one hand that their lives had been literally saved, their suffering ended or abated, while affluent others were complaining about the cost of having a safety net (they already have, or could afford) should their own health fail. 

Any time leaders find ethics problematic, there is a serious problem, and a sign of impending or existing shenanigans. 
Leaders are getting their marching orders from somewhere, but it is obviously not from the ordinary citizens who sent them to Washington (many of whom have been so accustomed to hearing the hatefully spoken nickname "Obamacare" that they didn't even realize how much they and their own families had benefited from The Affordable Care Act). 

As I watched, it seemed that leaders are motivated by an evil, selfish, voice that has hindered their capacity to understand reason or be compassionate. 

There is greed, hatred, fear, selfishness, entitlement, and a lack of empathy.  

There seems to be one clear motivation for some--and it was publicly spoken. 

The President's failure was a top goal no matter what the consequences of their inaction and obstruction did to the country. Now, they're talking about making America great again, as if their own actions, and the actions of previous leaders didn't contribute to it's lousiness.

I knew there had to be a name for what I was seeing. According to E. Samuel Winer, "Defensive processes" may be defined as an underlying series of mental operations, occurring primarily outside of a person’s awareness, that result in either an experience being recorded in memory in such a way that it is remembered as being more pleasant or less threatening than it actually was, or threatening experiences becoming inaccessible to future conscious recall". 

In other words, people don't know they're flat out lying, can't remember when they do lie, and can't remember the chaos caused by their own words and actions.

Some people deliberately lie to further a cause, and expect you to believe them. When you don't, and confront them with the truth, they get angry or defensive. They might even demonize you. 

Some people feel better believing a lie, and supporting a liar because the truth is too painful. It challenges or indicts their thoughts and actions. They too, in defense of the lie get angry and defensive. 

If we believe that the truth is the light and makes us free, why would we staunchly defend a liar, embrace lies, or want a liar for a leader? Why justify delusion, and in the process, make ourselves appear to be happily idiotic, foolish, callous or ignorant?

 
I hated to conclude, as I changed the channel, that many of the congressmen and women of the United States are bought. Someone has to have tied their hands; threatened, brainwashed, or blackmailed them. They can't possibly believe what they do and say is righteous or justified. They can't possibly be thinking for themselves. They can't possibly say that they care for America while simultaneously causing suffering for Americans. They can't possibly be so heartless. Many are puppets who boldly stand in the public square spouting the rhetoric of whatever evil force is motivating, enriching, and mentoring them.

 
At the end of the day, when they're alone with what's left of their consciences beating the hell out of them, I think they go home and cry.

 

In public they speak

Their souls for sale

But look into their eyes

Therein is Good that hates the lies

I think they go home and cry

In rolled the greed-filled tide

That swept them up;

Poisoned their minds

Unable to put their pride aside

I think they went home and cried

There’s no hiding

True thoughts; pure angst

Their faces do betray

Every word they say is scrutinized

I think they go home and cry

How does fear do its damning thing?

How does it convince the mind

To stand for wrong, and punish right?

I think they go home and cry

To see the error of one’s way

Yet plow forward; surmise

That hurting lives at whim is wise

I think they go home and cry

When the deals are done

They win, but you lose

Quickly they forget

They once needed you

They flash their strained smiles

Knowing all the while

Some choice they have made

Will upset and rile

They get into their cars

Struggle with each breath

Guilt and shame impede

Sorrow overwhelms

They get to their doors

Scarcely get inside

Drop their things and scream

Close their eyes and cry

What’s done to others will transfer

And grief be multiplied

And callous acts in mirrors shine

Wealth won't heal or immortalize Tears will try to materialize

They will--at death--apologize

And none will mourn

Though some will sigh

But NONE will go home and cry

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