A Point to Ponder One Month from the Primary Election

What is it about American politics that makes it a "kill-sport?" Much like the coliseum in Ancient Rome, people are trotted out for what becomes the sport of vilification. We make heroes of our leadership, and when they exhibit human failings that are not uncommon to us all, we tune our ears and eyes toward their demise with a sense of self-satisfaction. Perhaps, when our leaders disappoint us, we feel a bit better about our own failures, most secretly tucked away. In the 1800's, Abraham Lincoln "failed his way" into service to our Country during a time of national trial and calamity. And we should be encouraged to fail and to continue to fail our way into self deprecating service.

In the current climate, when leaders are forced to raise money continually and run for office perpetually, who would wish to offer their names for service to Country or Community? When candidates vilify one another instead of speaking in positive tones about their own giftedness, they short change the whole enterprise, which should be a collaborative "moving forward" as we address ever-pressing issues.

On this evening, I feel led to thank Rep. Thaddeus McCotter for his service to the Eleventh Congressional District during times of great economic peril. We are weathering the worst recession since the economic collapse following 1929 and into the 1930's. Rep. McCotter is now clearly tired, battered, worn, discouraged. But he deserves our thanks for his service irrespective of his personal issues or our political leanings. He and his family deserve our encouragement, prayers, and best wishes. No doubt leaders will serve as his successors in years to come. But we all, as constituents of this great Congressional District and State, will be well served if we recall the sacrifice out forbearers recognized when they called "Citizen Servants" from farms and villages to serve under perilous circumstances in the ongoing, ever-reforming experiment that is the United States of America.