Public service, such as holding public office and defending
the homeland under attack, is rooted historically in a duty rather than being
intended to further personal ambitions. Hence, public advancement is a reward
for having gone beyond the call of duty in one’s public service. To be sure, it
is not unheard of that an elected official views his or her post as a launching
pad for personal enrichment, whether in terms of wealth or power. When this aim
becomes primary, the duty aspect of the public service can easily fall away
like a tadpole’s tail off a bumpy toad. U.S. House representative (and majority
leader) Eric Cantor is a case in point, both in why he lost his seat and his
decision to resign it early rather than finish his term.
The complete essay is at “On
the Duty of Public Service”
