What's The Problem?

       500 years ago, or so, John Calvin was one of the people who were instrumental in developing capitalism, even though he was a church leader in Switzerland. He also recognized the potential for corruption in the church. So he initiated reforms that included lay leadership. Folks who were not professional leaders of the church, should have a greater say in the leadership of the church. Many of his ideas helped to create our own form of government.
       One of his ideas is one that is sorely needed in this country today. That is lay leadership, what we might call citizen leaders.  We have opted for professional leaders in Washington. We elect, over and over, people who become so ensconced in their positions in Congress that they feel entitled to those positions. They forget they're hired to represent the citizens of the states and the country. Instead they represent the party they belong to. Or worse yet, they represent a single individual who requires them to sign a promise to never do, or always do, what he wants. Then they lie, cheat and steal in order to keep that position.
       There are a few ways to curb these infractions. Term limits and open primaries are two of the ways to accomplish this. Another would be to make it illegal for any elected official to sign any document requiring them to give up the right to vote for or against any legislation. Make it illegal for both the signer and the author of such a document. Provide for strong consequences.
       It's not that our leaders started out as bad people. Actually many start out with the very best of intentions. Their goals are most often to clean up government, solve difficult problems and serve their neighbor. It's just that once in Washington and a part of the power structure, it's difficult to give up that power.
        And once elected now-a-days, they must immediately begin to run for the next election so that their whole attention is always partly on doing what is necessary to stay in office. At first it's to enable them to continue to serve their neighbors, then it's just to get reelected. John Calvin would not approve of our leadership today. Neither should we.