“Character is the only secure foundation of the state,” said President Calvin Coolidge, and our last blog entry looked at the kind of man who would make such a statement. We saw a politician who had the courage of his convictions. We saw a politician who knew that governments tend to rise and fall based on the presence or absence of character in their leaders.
Now let’s contrast President Coolidge’s beliefs with those of our current politicians.
- President Coolidge was not afraid to admit that his political strategy required no great intellect. He was not afraid to show that any child could operate by his political strategy. In a January 17, 1925 speech, he said, “There is only one form of political strategy in which I have any confidence, and that is to try to do the right thing and sometimes succeed. In other words – character – doing the right thing.
Modern politicians cloak political strategy, believing that the common man or woman will marvel at their wisdom. They may state plainly that character is not important: it is the economy – or health care – or peace – or any of a multitude of other things. These matters, not character, dictate political strategy.
- President Coolidge gave the people credit for intelligence – far more credit than many modern politicians are willing to give. He exercised the character trait “respect” when he thought of and spoke of his countrymen. He did not take an elitist attitude toward them. He never indicated that he knew better than they what was good for them. He respected them and believed they could solve their own problems. He held them in proper esteem.
By contrast, hundreds of modern politicians show disrespect, disdain for their countrymen. They plan and plot behind the scenes, and assure voters that they have a million wonderful ideas for them. They promise, as though they were gods, to make everything perfect. This is not character. It is merely self ambition, wanting to have things go the way of the politician.
- Coolidge exercised the character trait “love” in seeking to do what was truly best for his countrymen. He wanted to work for the success of everyone, not just a few. He put it this way: “The people cannot look to legislation generally for success. Industry, thrift, character, are not conferred by act or resolve. He knew, too, that it was not love for his people if he were to levy heavy taxes on corporations and oil companies. “The suspension of one man’s dividends,” said Coolidge, “is the suspension of another man’s pay envelope.” In other words, to tax the dividends of big companies is not an act of character toward the oppressed worker. The result will only be that the oppressed worker loses the job he does have.
By contrast, we currently hear politicians demanding penalties on those who experience the greatest success. “Windfall profits” must be taxed heavily, they say, for the good of the worker. This is not love. This is not character. Such demands threaten increasing trouble, not good, for the worker.
- Coolidge believed that “Laws must be justified by something more than the will of the majority. They must rest on the eternal foundation of righteousness.
Modern politicians believe that laws are justified by the will of the majority in Congress. Period. Full stop. Character and righteousness do not matter. Welfare programs that ignore character traits such as personal responsibility, diligence, determination, and perseverance are pushed into law as rapidly as possible. People who think themselves lucky to have such laws are soon worse off than before.
Character is the only secure foundation of any government in the world.
This subject calls for one more blog entry, and then we will move to other matters.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?