PIMPING PAIN AND SUFFERING | 2005-03-26
Respectable Conservatives are on cloud nine. The Terry Schiavo case in Florida is something they live for. They can have a play fight with the left, and both come out ahead.
The left and the Respectable Conservatives love to sink their fangs into an issue like the Schiavo case. They could care less about the people involved, but each gets an enormous opportunity to grandstand. The left sees it as another chance to destroy common decency while the respectables can talk big and raise money on an issue that is emotionally touching and splashy but peripheral to the main issues.
Respectables and their unwitting followers get all worked up over this type of issue because it's safe. No one can be called a racist or bigot or hater for siding with Schiavo. Common pity and sympathy are natural in such an individual case. The poor, beleagured working man with a sense of decency can give full vent to his emotions in this type of case without harming the left in any way.
Real leadership requires tough decision-making, detachment, and dedication to the big picture. Most people are incapable of this, especially with issues outside their immediate purview. That is why Jesus was so condemning of the scribes and Pharisees. They were the leaders of their day, and were living off of the people, "making merchandise" of them.
This is why Jesus told his disciples that the "greatest is the servant of all." He was talking about LEADERSHIP. A real leader serves his people by doing what is best for them, regardless of the cost to himself.
A Respectable helps himself to a big serving of his people.