If I were president
Last night the last of the official presidential debates was broadcast to the world. Of course, it will not be the last of the accusations and conflicting approaches to issues before and after the November 8 election in the United States.
It has often been my habit to attempt to imagine what it must be like to actually occupy the office of president of this country or any other country. It is difficult for me to imagine having an important leadership position responsible for making decisions which potentially affect trillions of people. Yet, the truth is that I do make decisions which affect a great many people. When I think about the power of a non-judgmental smile, a harsh word or a simple pay-it-forward act in the context of the six degrees of separation, I am humbled and a lot less likely to self- righteously dismiss the opinion of another person or, even worse, to confuse the opinion with the person.
I am tempted to be very critical of the presidential candidates or even current leaders in the United States or other countries. Yet, I must ask myself for the details of what I would propose as president regarding such issues as health care, immigration, the commitment of military forces in conflicts around the world, so-called terrorism, abortion, and a host of other issues. From the comfort and safety of my armchair it is quite easy for me to proffer opinions or, more likely, to criticize. Yet, if suddenly I was thrust into the position of president or even a presidential candidate what plans would I offer? How realistic would those proposals be in the context of the three branches of the government of the United States? What compromises would I be willing to make?
My understanding is that President Obama receives his morning briefing on his iPad. Does he open and read the briefing while he is performing his morning absolutions? Does he prime his brain with the caffeine of coffee or tea prior to turning on the iPad? Does he insist on photos of everyone directly and indirectly affected by our military actions? Does he play a video in his head of those who cannot afford the deductible of their health insurance policy while simultaneously playing a video of the morning routine of the CEO of the health insurance company? Does he have a photograph of the migrant worker who helps to keep food prices relatively low? Does he think of the agony of the family who has just been told their son or daughter died of a drug overdose or the life of the children of those whose finances are dependent on the sale of drugs? Does he ask how the drug dealer on the street is different that the leaders of the pharmaceutical company who charge hundreds of dollars for a product which costs a few dollars to make?
It is easy for me to imagine shutting off my iPad, returning to bed and pulling the covers over my head in an attempt to shut out or turn off these internal videos.
Perhaps instead of hiding under the covers I would insist on a moment to review my spiritual goals for the day. Perhaps I would have to remind myself of my core values. These might include:
· All lives are equally sacred. Really! Should we protect the health of the President of the United States more than we do of the homeless person being served a hot meal by the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities not far from the White House? After all, the decisions of the President affect more people than that of the homeless person. What does it mean to minister to the “least of …? Is it moral to kill to save others? If some lives are more sacred than others than …
· One must honor the cycle of life and death of all parts of the universe(s) which have exist since the beginning whatever that means.
· Mother earth is sacred. It is our sacred responsibility to care for the earth as it cares for us. What does this mean when caring for the earth puts others out of a job? What is my responsibility then?
· Using another human being as a simple means to an end is always wrong.
Wait! How can I honor others as equal if their core values differ? Refusing to make decisions and take actions has potential consequences affecting millions of people.
It seems as if I must require of myself all that I would require of others. It is all well and good for me to criticize the presidential candidates and join them in hurling insults at each other, but it is much more difficult to offer concrete plans which honor the concerns of all those who will affected by decisions of the President, the Congress and the Judiciary branches of the government.
If I were President could I serve one hour, one day, one week, or one month and remain in a positive, pro-active role?
As I prepare to not assume the role of President but the simple role of one voter I must challenge myself to make an educated guess based on my core values which are themselves an educated guess. I must not expect to be comfortable with my decision. I want to commit myself to vote with all the humility of the person who knows that whoever is elected does not have the option of turning off the iPad, going back to bed and pulling the covers over his or her head. That person and all the other elected officials will have the burden of facing the day and making decisions. I have not earned the right to judge what I would be unwilling to do.
For me, just voting is a frightening and humbling experience.
Written October 20, 2016
Last night the last of the official presidential debates was broadcast to the world. Of course, it will not be the last of the accusations and conflicting approaches to issues before and after the November 8 election in the United States.
It has often been my habit to attempt to imagine what it must be like to actually occupy the office of president of this country or any other country. It is difficult for me to imagine having an important leadership position responsible for making decisions which potentially affect trillions of people. Yet, the truth is that I do make decisions which affect a great many people. When I think about the power of a non-judgmental smile, a harsh word or a simple pay-it-forward act in the context of the six degrees of separation, I am humbled and a lot less likely to self- righteously dismiss the opinion of another person or, even worse, to confuse the opinion with the person.
I am tempted to be very critical of the presidential candidates or even current leaders in the United States or other countries. Yet, I must ask myself for the details of what I would propose as president regarding such issues as health care, immigration, the commitment of military forces in conflicts around the world, so-called terrorism, abortion, and a host of other issues. From the comfort and safety of my armchair it is quite easy for me to proffer opinions or, more likely, to criticize. Yet, if suddenly I was thrust into the position of president or even a presidential candidate what plans would I offer? How realistic would those proposals be in the context of the three branches of the government of the United States? What compromises would I be willing to make?
My understanding is that President Obama receives his morning briefing on his iPad. Does he open and read the briefing while he is performing his morning absolutions? Does he prime his brain with the caffeine of coffee or tea prior to turning on the iPad? Does he insist on photos of everyone directly and indirectly affected by our military actions? Does he play a video in his head of those who cannot afford the deductible of their health insurance policy while simultaneously playing a video of the morning routine of the CEO of the health insurance company? Does he have a photograph of the migrant worker who helps to keep food prices relatively low? Does he think of the agony of the family who has just been told their son or daughter died of a drug overdose or the life of the children of those whose finances are dependent on the sale of drugs? Does he ask how the drug dealer on the street is different that the leaders of the pharmaceutical company who charge hundreds of dollars for a product which costs a few dollars to make?
It is easy for me to imagine shutting off my iPad, returning to bed and pulling the covers over my head in an attempt to shut out or turn off these internal videos.
Perhaps instead of hiding under the covers I would insist on a moment to review my spiritual goals for the day. Perhaps I would have to remind myself of my core values. These might include:
· All lives are equally sacred. Really! Should we protect the health of the President of the United States more than we do of the homeless person being served a hot meal by the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities not far from the White House? After all, the decisions of the President affect more people than that of the homeless person. What does it mean to minister to the “least of …? Is it moral to kill to save others? If some lives are more sacred than others than …
· One must honor the cycle of life and death of all parts of the universe(s) which have exist since the beginning whatever that means.
· Mother earth is sacred. It is our sacred responsibility to care for the earth as it cares for us. What does this mean when caring for the earth puts others out of a job? What is my responsibility then?
· Using another human being as a simple means to an end is always wrong.
Wait! How can I honor others as equal if their core values differ? Refusing to make decisions and take actions has potential consequences affecting millions of people.
It seems as if I must require of myself all that I would require of others. It is all well and good for me to criticize the presidential candidates and join them in hurling insults at each other, but it is much more difficult to offer concrete plans which honor the concerns of all those who will affected by decisions of the President, the Congress and the Judiciary branches of the government.
If I were President could I serve one hour, one day, one week, or one month and remain in a positive, pro-active role?
As I prepare to not assume the role of President but the simple role of one voter I must challenge myself to make an educated guess based on my core values which are themselves an educated guess. I must not expect to be comfortable with my decision. I want to commit myself to vote with all the humility of the person who knows that whoever is elected does not have the option of turning off the iPad, going back to bed and pulling the covers over his or her head. That person and all the other elected officials will have the burden of facing the day and making decisions. I have not earned the right to judge what I would be unwilling to do.
For me, just voting is a frightening and humbling experience.
Written October 20, 2016
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