OUR LEADERS: MORAL MEN?

Do we expect too much of our leaders? Should we actually expect them to be as human and as flawed as the rest of us?

I was terribly disappointed in Bill Clinton, both for getting involved with Monica Lewinsky and for handling the scandal badly. I thought he should have said, when asked about her, "None of your business. Next question."

But of course he didn't. The country got embroiled in that scandal while it neglected more serious problems. The Republicans said it was an issue of character, something they didn't mention when their oxes were being gored.

Now we are visited by the ghost of Clinton past--Arnold Schwarzenegger, a.k.a. Don Juan in boots. Swordsman extraordinaire.

I read now that his womanizing was an "open secret" in Hollywood:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-05-18/arnold-schwarzeneggers-battle-to-keep-his-private-affairs-private/?om_rid=DN5sv0&om_mid=_BN08B0B8bPKlJ3

I guess no one told Maria.

But should we expect anything less of our leaders or more than we expect of ourselves?

Of course, we want our fearless leaders to be knights in shining armor. But why should they be better men than we are?

Because, for one simple reason: They carry our hopes and our dreams. They spend our money. They make our decisions.

We don't expect them to lead us into temptation.

We expect them to lead us away from it. When they don't, we are disappointed. And disillusioned. Until the next flawed leader comes along.

My prediction: We will continue to expect from our heroes perfection, moral clarity, and shining examples. And we will continue to be disappointed.

-- Roger
 

© Copyright 2011, Roger R. Angle