In elections which will have a determining influence on the future of both the U.S. and our global community, American voters yesterday chose Democrats over Republicans to control the Congress, despite President Trump’s energized and strident campaigning on behalf of Republican candidates.
My take on the reasons for their voting so heavily for Democrat candidates was an instinctive preference for responsible, trust-worthy government and therefore for candidates who seemed deserving of holding offices of public trust.
It was as if they were listening to the words of the Lord God as spoken to his prophet Ezekiel:
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought and with force and harshness, you have ruled them. …
Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezekiel 34)
In ethical similarity, the Caux Round Table Principles for Government propose that:
Public power is held in trust for the community.
Power brings responsibility. Power is a necessary moral circumstance in that it binds the actions of one to the welfare of others.
Therefore, the power given by public office is held in trust for the benefit of the community and its citizens. Officials are custodians only of the powers they hold. They have no personal entitlement to office or the prerogatives thereof.
Holders of public office are accountable for their conduct while in office. They are subject to removal for malfeasance, misfeasance or abuse of office. The burden of proof that no malfeasance, misfeasance or abuse of office has occurred lies with the officeholder.
The state is the servant and agent of higher ends. It is subordinate to society. Public power is to be exercised within a framework of moral responsibility for the welfare of others. Governments that abuse their trust shall lose their authority and may be removed from office.
Public servants shall refrain from abuse of office, corruption and shall demonstrate high levels of personal integrity.
Public office is not to be used for personal advantage, financial gain or as a prerogative manipulated by arbitrary personal desire. Corruption – financial, political and moral – is inconsistent with stewardship of public interests. Only the rule of law is consistent with a principled approach to use of public power.