Garth Rattray | We need fitting representatives

They crucified the perfect man 2000 years ago, so I do not expect any human being to be flawless. We are all given to weaknesses and shortcomings. However, representatives of the people should portray integrity, a respect for the law, honour, honesty, discipline and a willingness to serve others. They should not only represent us; they should also represent the best of us. They must be people who we can look up to and emulate. Their character should be beyond reproach.

These representatives of the people must be societal leaders. They must also lead morally. Our nation is morally decrepit; many citizens believe that something is considered wrong only if they do not get away with it. This is why we have so many horrible major crimes, crimes in general, and ridiculous behaviour on our roads. Corruption is rampant because there is moral failure among some leaders.

Domestic violence is not uncommon. I know two policemen who shot at their spouses. One was hit and suffered damage to major organs and nerves. When I inquired about her husband’s whereabouts, I was surprised to learn that he was working as usual. The reason that he was not arrested for injuring her in anger is that she lied and told the investigators that his service pistol discharged accidentally.

HIDE BEING ABUSED

Spouses are known to hide being abused, lie about it, or withdraw their complaints against their significant other, in order to protect them from the legal repercussions of their actions. They also do so in order to shield their spouse from the repercussions that would certainly adversely affect their career and way of life. Just last year, it was alleged that a member of parliament used a stool to beat his spouse about the head during an altercation. It turns out that both parties reported the matter, but both also chose not to go through with the judiciary process by no longer cooperating with the investigators. That left the parliamentarian off the legal hook, but not the ethical hook. This, however, leaves regular citizens believing that it is okay to abuse a spouse (or anyone else) as long as they can get away with it.

And, more recently, a councillor is alleged to have “… pulled his licensed firearm and pointed it at his wife”. The entire matter was dropped when his wife declined to continue the case. He, too, was let off the legal hook, but not the ethical hook. However, the councillor is brimming with pride at his success in beating the wrap. What kind of example have these men set for the citizens that they lead and represent, especially our impressionable youth?

In both instances, their spouses declined to pursue the matter. We are left to speculate about why they dropped it. Was it out of the magnanimity of their hearts, or was it something else that made them change their minds? We will never know. However, we know that dropping a matter does nothing to alter what transpired. Slinking out of a serious court matter does not confer innocence to anyone. If the offender is truly guilty, he/she will remain guilty, despite the legal conclusion of the matter.

Our culture often exhibits a strong and entrenched disrespect for women. Our leaders must lead by example. Representatives of the people should, and must, be held to a higher standard; in fact, they should be held to the highest standard possible because they represent our needs, our dreams, our morality, and the things that we and our children should aspire towards.

MIXED MESSAGES

Mixed messages are sent to our future generation when a representative of the people, a representative of the adults and children who emulate him/her, is alleged to have done something egregious and chooses to seek refuge in silence and remaining low for a while, in the hope that things will blow over eventually.

Bad enough that someone would have the temerity to return to representational politics after being accused to such things as the assault on a spouse; worse yet, I believe, is the political party that does not eject anyone who allegedly assaults someone else. It’s terrible that the individual is free only because the process was stopped without any final resolution in a court of law. Obviously, the yen for control and power is so great that the political machinery is willing to keep alleged abusers in their fold. This speaks volumes about the priorities of the political machinery.

Obviously, our leaders do not realise that they have no moral grounds on which to stand and rule if they deem alleged misbehaviour as acceptable. This lack of moral fortitude weakens the core of our country and allows regular citizens to lose respect for our leaders. If alleged assault is allowed to pass, so too will alleged corruption, alleged kickbacks, alleged bribes, and alleged flouting of the laws meant to protect our society. In other words, once the moral line has been erased, anything can and will happen.

Trickle-down unethical behaviour, illegalities, irregularities and indiscipline ensue. It will be impossible to gain the public trust and restore discipline unless the leaders begin with cleaning up their own house. Impropriety, proven or even alleged, must not be tolerated. Leaders must show our people that they are indeed beyond reproach and deserving of respect.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.