Faithfully yours - Getting the government we deserve

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Published on Sunday, August 30, 2015

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

The more I see it, the more I wonder if those who do these things think before they act.

The setting—a hockey arena. It could be just about any arena in any community. The scene—hockey parents who, from the moment the puck is dropped to start the game, are constantly yelling at the officials, calling them names, questioning their eyesight, parentage, etc.

At home, their children hear more of the same. Their parents show the same attitude when they speak about the government, the police, their employers and anyone else who happens to be in a position of authority. So the kids display the same attitude at school and on the playground.

Now, move the clock ahead ten years. Those same parents are sitting in a court room where their son is standing before a judge. As they sit in stunned silence, they learn the details of their son’s latest encounter with the law. He had shown up for work drunk, got into a fight with a customer and was fired. He refused to leave and the police were called. He assaulted one of the offers, was placed under arrest and was heard to utter several threats as he was taken from the premises.

Given the gravity of his crimes and a past history of problems with authority, this young man is handed a significant jail sentence. In passing sentence, the judge notes that he has been as lenient as the law will allow. “If you are brought before me again on the same charge,” he says, “I will not hesitate to impose the maximum sentence. You have a problem with authority and I hope you will use your time in custody to reflect on this issue and make some changes in your life.”

A problem with authority—it’s a universal problem; and it is found in every stratum of society.

Respect for authority isn’t taught—it is caught. It is a learned response—something we learn by seeing this trait reflected in the attitudes and actions of others. And it begins at the top with the respect those who hold elected office show for the authority of those who elected them.

That’s one of the issues we need to address in the coming election. In a democratic society, the government is the servant of the people. We all believe that; but few of us know what it means.

Twice during his time on earth, Jesus had to quell an argument his disciples were having. They wanted to know who among them would be “the greatest” in the eternal kingdom of God.

Jesus’ reply is recorded in Matthew 20:25ff. “The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,” he said, “and their great ones are tyrants over them. It shall not be so among you…whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.” There is much wisdom in these words.

The church I served in Edmonton was 10 blocks from the University Hospital. I was often asked to meet with families who were in shock following the sudden death of a loved one. After being introduced to the family, I asked them two questions: “What do you need; and how can I help?” After hearing their answers, my reply always was: “I will do what I can to help you.”

If every MP, MLA and local councilor was guided by these questions, it would radically change how we are governed. We just might get the government “of the people, by the people and for the people” that Canadians desire and deserve.