Similar Problems for Doctors and Politicians
Similar Problems for Doctors and Politicians
Have you ever thought of the similar problems Doctors and Politicians must face?
Let’s say that a doctor has a very wealthy, but very opinionated patient in their care. The patient has some very bad habits negatively affecting her health. The doctor could and should point out how bad these habits are for the patient’s long term health. The problem is that if the doctor does point these things out, then the patient will simply find another doctor. So the doctor has a choice. Speak up and keep her conscience clear, but possibly lose a patient from her practice—or Keep quiet and keep the patient and her revenue, but know that she is failing in her duty to her client.
I was reflecting today that politicians today can face similar choices. Do they tell voters what they want to hear or do they tell them what they need to hear? Do they reinforce and perpetuate bad behavior in order to keep favor for re-election? Or do they act to effect change because change is needed?
Should they reflect the will of the people when the will is ignorant and short-sighted because they see their job as to do the bidding of those who elected them to office?
Or should politicians believe that they were elected to make decisions and votes based on data the public may not have access to (especially classified), even when those decisions are contrary to the popular opinions of the politician’s constituency?
Who’s the boss? The elected or the electors?
The key is this. Can the elected representatives explain themselves and demonstrate the consistency of always looking for the solution that does the greatest amount of good for the longest period of time for the largest amount of people as balanced against doing the least damage possible for the shortest period of time for the fewest amount of people and can be done with the available dollars, given competing priorities.
When I was in the Army, one of the lessons I learned in preparing to defend a piece of ground was to walk as far forward of my position as possible, turn around, and look at that ground from the perspective of the attacker. That perspective would often change the way I set up my defense.
This is a skill too often lacking in our political discussions today. We need to learn to appreciate the viewpoint of the other.
We should remember what Johnny Carson said one night on The Tonight Show. Johnny said you should always walk a mile in the other person’s shoes. That way, when you get done you will be a mile away and the other person will have no shoes.
They are representatives of the people, not themselves. Is there any question that they should do what is right instead of what is politically correct? Does anyone really believe a doctor would even consider refraining from telling a patient to quit drinking or smoking for fear of losing him as a patient? Of course not. The problem with our country is that politicians would.
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Tim,
Recently I have been on Amazon in one of the discussion forums about whether we should bring back the Draft or not.
The "volunteer" concept is failing us in this large scale, long term conflict. The use of mercenaries, the inflated enlistment and reenlistment bonuses needed to meet end strength goals are too expensive. They threaten the viability of our economy by driving our debt to over $9 Trillion.
Al Qaeda sees upsetting our center of gravity as upsetting our economy. The way we're approaching this war plays into our enemies hands.
If we must pursue a military solution, then shouldn't we go back to a draft?
And if the answer to that question is yes, then does our elected leadership have the guts to do what's right and institute the draft over the screams of protest?
Your thoughts?
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