DO YOU WANT A MASTER OR A SERVANT?

The True Measure of Public Service: A Crucial Choice in 2024

In America, we have the luxury of enjoying prosperity and the pursuit of happiness. Our democracy grants us the freedom to vote for representatives who will fight for us, protect our rights, and work toward the collective good of our society. At the pinnacle of this democratic process is the presidency, a position that should embody the highest ideals of public service—a role that exists not to serve the self but to serve the people.

This presidential year presents a stark contrast between two visions of leadership. On one side, we have a candidate who is a proven narcissist, focused on serving himself and his fellow oligarchs. His record and rhetoric make it clear that his priorities lie in self-aggrandizement and accumulating power and wealth for a select few. He sees the presidency not as a public trust but as a personal prize, a means to an end that benefits himself and those who share his narrow interests.

On the other side, we have a candidate who stands as a true representative of the people. This candidate understands that public service is about putting the needs of the many above the desires of the few. She views the presidency as a sacred trust that demands integrity, empathy, and a deep commitment to the well-being of all Americans. Her policies reflect a genuine desire to uplift ordinary citizens' lives, ensure that prosperity is shared and that the government remains a force for good in the people's lives.

The difference between these two candidates could not be more profound. One seeks to serve himself and his cronies, while the other aims to serve the nation. One views leadership as an opportunity for personal gain, while the other sees it as a responsibility to be shouldered with humility and dedication. The choice before us is between two individuals and two fundamentally different concepts of what it means to be a public servant.

Genuine public service is vital to the health of our democracy. It is the cornerstone of a government by the people, for the people, and of the people. Without leaders who are genuinely committed to this ideal, the very fabric of our society begins to unravel. We cannot afford to place our trust in those who see public office as a means to an end that benefits only themselves. We need leaders driven by a desire to make life better for all of us, who understand that their role is to be a servant of the people. 

William James Spriggs