There’s a time worn saying in politics that “the office corrupts the man (person).” Is this what happened to New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, known as the “cape crusader” (Time Magazine had named him “Crusader of the Year” during his two terms as New York attorney general) and as “Eliot Ness” for his battle against corruption, including prostitution rings, and for his valiant efforts to clean up Gotham City? How, we might ask, could he be so stupid? Or so hypocritical? Or so arrogant?! Did he actually believe that he was above the law and therefore could do whatever he “desired” and wherever he was “driven,” even if it meant being dishonest to his family, constituents, and even to himself? Whatever happened to “Honest Abe” Lincoln? For those of you who might not be up on your American history, I’m referring to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (who, by the way, was a Republican).
Whatever eventually happens to “Client 9,” legally, politically, and personally, it appears that this is a situation in which the “will to pleasure” and “will to power” have trumped the “will to meaning.” For reasons that may not surface for some time, if ever, Mr. Spitzer’s authentic commitment to meaningful values and goals (i.e., the will to meaning) was sacrificed on multiple levels--personal, family, professional, and political. Somewhere along his path, Spitzer lost his way; moving the needle on his moral/ethical compass from meaning to power and pleasure. And, unfortunately, as usually is the case in such matters, there will be collateral damage in the wake of his personal choices.
Of course, especially during this milestone year in American politics, Governor Spitzer’s actions should not be cause to shy away from--and further distrust--those who take their responsibilities to “manage the public’s business” seriously, either as elected/appointed officials or as civil servants. If anything, Eliot Spitzer has, once again, raised the bar when it comes to public sector ethics (even though I’m sure that he had not planned to do so in this particular way!). Individually and collectively, let’s seek to learn and grow from the Eliot “Mess.” Let’s hold our public officials responsible and accountable for “walking their talk” by demonstrating that we, the electorate, won’t take it any more! And, as odd as it may seem, let’s thank Eliot Spitzer for demonstrating why it is so vitally important to raise the bar of expectations for those who seek elected office. Indeed, we should make it perfectly clear that serving as a guardian of the public trust and interest is nothing less than a noble calling. And as such, we fully expect and demand that our public officials demonstrate that it is the will to meaning, not power or pleasure, that guides their decisions and actions.
What thoughts come to mind for you as you think about
choosing meaning over power and pleasure in your own life?
Alex
Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
author, Prisoners of Our Thoughts
founder, Center for Meaning
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