Government Example Needed

Throughout history, there has been an acknowledged close link between the personal values a society embodies and the values manifested by its government. Calvin Coolidge, who later served as president of the United States, said: "Men speak of natural rights, but I challenge any one to show where in nature any rights ever existed or were recognized until there was established for their declaration and protection a duly promulgated body of corresponding laws."

In the final analysis, it is the ruling government - no matter by what means it came into power - that can promote or hinder civil rights, such as free press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and freedom to speak in public, to be free from unlawful arrest or harassment,and to obtain a fair trial.

Abraham Lincoln, who later served as president of the United States, once said: " The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or cannot, so well do, for themselves - - in their separate, and individual capacities." When governments work to meet such lofty purposes, people are inclined to trust those in power.

However, cynicism and wariness seem to have replaced such confidence and trust today. One recent study in the United States reported that 68 percent of those surveyed judged the ethical practices of federal officials to be only fair or even poor. In many countries the public perception of government officials has been rocked by bribery scandals and corruption at the highest levels. Understandably, this has resulted in a sense of loss in growing numbers of people.

Next time: King Solomon's Good Example