What Price Glory ?

                          What Price Glory?

       Watching the entire “Roy Moore” Senate Election travesty unfold in Alabama, I am reminded of a Chapter from the Bible, specifically, Mark 8:36- For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

         The Republican National Party, of which I am a member, has chosen to endorse and fund the campaign of a candidate whose behavior is and has been a public scandal. I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. Most of us, veterans of years of labor in the vineyards of the vote, are of a practical nature. We understand the mechanics of electioneering and the necessity to gain enough power in respective levels of legislature to enact the types of programs that we believe are helpful to the American Republic.

          But, even cynical political veterans like myself have to wonder “What Price Glory?” Is the supposed advantage in a legislature worth the cost of mortgaging our political souls? Do we not think that the electorate will long remember our deeds and judge us on the results that flow from these actions? And if we do not fear the wrath of an enlightened electorate, do we not even retain the semblance of a moral conscience that we are indeed responsible to a higher power for the sum and substance of our actions? We have been taught since we were children that there will one day be a reckoning for everything we do on this earth. I am beginning to think that the  ethereal confrontation to come will be of rather dire proportions, for those of us who let these travesties occur in the name of “smart politics.”

        Who among us does not have a sister, niece of daughter who is at the mercy of these predators in the workplace? What type of message do we send to them when we ignore their heart-rending pleas for justice, in the name of “smart politics?” Will we ever be forgiven? More importantly, should we ever be forgiven? I fear that a celestial court will not understand the exigency of “real politics” in the explanation for what we do here this day.

        Every man and woman has to make up their own mind as to what is wrong and what is right. It is not for anyone of us to hector another and task them for their actions. But there are times when each of us needs to stand alone and say “No, this is wrong! I don’t agree and I urge others to join me in saying no to this inequity.” This is one of those times. My voice might not count for much right now. But, it is as Confucius stated, the opportunity to light one candle rather than curse the darkness.

        I formally request all responsible Republicans to reject the endorsement of this awful man, Roy Moore, for the position of Unites States Senator from Alabama. That body already has enough rascals within it. We need men and women of sound moral character who will look out for the welfare of all of our citizens and protect those children who have no voice.

          And though I know this protest will have no effect on the election, it will have an effect on me. I will be able to look myself in the mirror and acknowledge that there are limits to what we do in the name of practical politics. I have made my own share of mistakes in the political arena. Supporting Roy Moore is not going to be another one.

                                               -30-

                                         (606 words)

                                    Joseph Xavier Martin