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Along Life’s Way
Motives
By Lois E. Wilson
Our nation has been wrestling with many issues: illegal immigration,
climate change, health care options, increase of drug use, global trade
and security, the national debt, violence with guns, etc. Almost every
day one of these is the main topic of the news cycle.
The solutions for many of the issues are disputed on various aspects by
experts. Politicians soon line up on the side that fits their motives.
Congress is charged with addressing them by enacting laws. This may
require bipartisan efforts. Lately, Congress has been struck with
political paralysis.
Some issues have become so volatile that they have created euphemisms
to soften their impact. For example “global warming” became “climate
change” We now have no “illegal immigrants.” They are
“undocumented.” A panel member on TV predicted that drug abusers
will soon be called “persons who are pharmaceutically challenged.” Our
leaders should always be brave enough to call things what they are;
they owe citizens their honesty.
The motives for the adoption of a viewpoint on issues vary with the
issue and the Senator or Representative. Some may be supporting
an issue because of political pressure, financial reasons, desire of
their constituents, or a personal objective such as reelection.
Aristotle observed, “All we do is done with an eye to something else.”
So if actions are taken on disputed evidence, should we not
wonder—would the result be worse if we did nothing until a positive
solution is evident?
La Rochefoucauld warned, “We should often feel ashamed of our best
actions if the world could see all of the motives which produced them.”
Let us pray that all decisions are made not to win an election but for
noble motives. We will soon see how dedicated and honorable the
candidates are in their decisions. We will be evaluating their motives.
Our forefathers charted us a course that has served this country well
for generations. If we are unable to resolve all its issues within our
lifetime, we should at least try to pass it on to the next generation
in as good or better condition than we received it.
Our motives should be to teach our history well and truthfully. If we
do, then we can have faith that from the next generation leaders with
motives to be admired will rise and take on the challenges of our
nation and the world.
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