Sunday, January 15, 2017

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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