The 'Proposition of Equality' & Rotary's Four-Way Test as applied to campaigns
Two past commentaries
I wrote the ‘Proposition of Equality’ seven years ago as a Facebook post (it came up recently in Memories). I was prolific back then. The tone is a bit self-righteous… well, maybe more than a bit. Still, how we view those famous words in our Declaration of Independence, namely who precisely is endowed, has been part of the American conversation and disagreement since Thomas Jefferson wrote them. As we know, Jefferson did so and continued to own slaves—a moral discrepancy, if you will, that modern-day judgements have taken note of.
A self-righteous journalist and hypocritical politician. Well… some things never change.
The ‘Proposition of Equality’
"Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully."
From the second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln
This excerpt was in regard to the Civil War and its main cause, slavery—but the rights of all people, regardless of their race, religion, ethnic origin, gender, or political affiliation, is still a matter of vision, or lack thereof, for this nation,
It’s still an issue that divides us because of how we, in our conflicting ways, view the exact meaning of the great American proposition that "all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
History, and perhaps God, will judge us on which side of that proposition we stand. Do we believe it pertains to all Americans and would-be citizens as well as those from other lands, or just to our own kind? Is it meant to be all encompassing or tailored to a specific group? Inclusive or exclusive?
I've listened to a lifetime of Sunday sermons on loving your neighbor as yourself and that "love" is the essence of the faith. If this is indeed the true message (that brothers and sisters all are we), then it seems apparent to me which side of the proposition we ought to stand.
But maybe I didn't do a good job of reading between the lines or understanding the actual meaning of the message and that the Almighty does indeed prefer one side over 'the others' and that some are more deserving of favor as well as the blessings and bounty.
* * *
Here’s another Golden Oldie, written on Nov. 9, 2014—right after Election Day of that year. Our campaigns have seemingly gotten even worse since then—or maybe that’s just me. With another season of electioneering now underway and soon to intensify, I’ll put forth (once again) this Sunday School homily, although I harbor no illusions that it will alter the attitudes and actions of the partisan warriors.
Is it the Truth? A Test for Election Campaigns
The Rotary has what’s called “The Four-Way Test” of the things members (should) think, say, or do.
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
In addition, there’s a “Rotarian Code of Conduct” of which the first instruction is to “Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and profession life.”
Needless to say, of the thousands of Americans who belong to this service organization, not everyone adheres to or conducts themselves in accordance with the Test and Code. But that’s no surprise. Millions of people attend church on a regular basis, yet a goodly number have edited the Ten Commandments down to a more manageable number, the Golden Rule gets tarnished from a lack of use, and as far as “turning the other check”… well that’s as indecipherable as the Greek it was originally translated from. And let’s not get into that bit about not casting the first stone.
All of the above came to mind as a reaction to the recent election campaign. The attack ads, the below-the-belt campaign tactics, and the efforts to discourage voting through legal hurdles would, it seems to me, find difficulty in meeting The Four-Way Test and the Code of Conduct, not to mention the Golden Rule.
Distortion, misrepresentation, and, in some cases, downright malice were once again on display.
I’m not a Pollyanna or a “holier than thou” when it comes to the rough and tumble of election campaigns. In the tug-of-war for governmental power, noses get bloodied, knees skinned, feelings hurt, and anger aroused. The rights of free speech, free press, and freedom to assemble are in full flower during the campaign season and it is not always a pretty sight.
But while these rights are precious to our American way-of-life, exercising them does not preclude doing so in a responsible manner. Ultimately what matters most is not who wins or loses, but our institutions of self-government, including campaigns and elections. Maintaining their integrity should be of paramount importance to everyone. That’s where our greater loyalty should reside.
Yes, we possess differences of opinions, and yes, we support our favorite candidates and special causes. That’s part and parcel of what democracy is all about. However, we do so with the knowledge that we are citizens, and citizenship is an inclusive term, meaning all Americans, not the exclusive province of one party or one candidate.
The Four-Way Test of Rotary, which starts out with the words TRUTH and FAIR serve as ideals that club members as well as the rest of us should strive for and be mindful of in our day-to-day lives and activities, including our political campaigns and discourse. And the directive to “act with integrity and high ethical standards” in our personal and professional lives should not be a once-a-week creed, given lip service and then ignored, but rather a moral precept that informs our thoughts and actions, including our relationships with others.
Steve Horton is a mid-Michigan journalist and editor-publisher of the ‘Fowlerville News & Views’—a weekly newspapers.
Well put and good refresher on what should occur. However, our respect for fellow men and women is decreasing here. There is hope. Northern Ireland just elected their first Sein Fain leader. Unheard of not so long ago. The election was based on mutual respect for mutual rights. What a concept!!
Timeless words. I despair that a time will ever come when these reminders will no longer be needed.