Hello readers: finally a rather short essay for you from me. Aimed directly (and mostly) at the younger community (especially those interested in pursuing political office)… you should be advised not to mimic today’s domestic scandals and exploits; nor allow those witnessed now, to assert any presumed necessity for maligned law. That is the thesis statement. But, this essay of mine is also an introduction to one of our founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin. I’ll get to that soon.

Specifically in this essay, I hope that you will come to understand that people in public office are not (nor should they be) legally forbidden from living their lives in pursuit of life beyond political office. I might need to preface to those of you unfamiliar with this right, however, that a sitting official is required to be dedicated to his or her work – yes, during the years of public office. That is in order to fulfill moral obligations to the nation and to support civilian life, as sworn in to do. So, at least in the USA, we better more constructively consider past, present, and future expectations that we have of our government. Do you want your leaders to seek monetary contracts while they are in office? Do you want them to ignore the duties they are faced with? Or, would you prefer that they made personal plans to pick up on later, before the date their office begin? I am one to prefer that they do this before. Contrary to doing that, how many officials have become one (an official) motivated purely or primarily by the interest in a modern sector’s (private industry) monetary reward. Perhaps it is a true phenomena that is excessively common in some countries of the world. This is something we hope not happen, but we often seem to judge that it has. And, there is supporting evidence from history, that is commonly understood today. And, who has balked about this? Perhaps too few? By the time you’ve finished reading this article, I hope you’ll understand that every public servant has given thought to their own endeavors after office. But, which ones have done best to put those plans “on the back burner”, while they are still in office? And those who have done best to, are they hated for it because they actually do this?

I won’t name names of any present government employees today. You might also already know that big contracts can await public officials. I think the main difference to be known everywhere, is that news of these contracts don’t ordinarily leak in the USA. And perhaps much less so in other countries of the world. What’s most important to me, regarding honesty in office, is whether an official: (1) uses an office not because no one else will, but because he is serving himself, (2) whether he serve out his political office well and morally, and (3) whether those who abuse(d) their own term in office, scapegoat another for doing that which he himself does or did freely.

Surrounding similar concept, is the reason why we need to uphold our laws, without extending their reach beyond good limit with which they were designed to discipline and mitigate. It is also a problem in the other “direction”, when we have too few honorable people in all offices, overwhelmed by the potentially capricious nature of his or her peers. Shame on us as constituents too, if we do not speak out about that either.

Back to my main premise: I find it acceptable for those sworn in, to have aspirations beyond public life. They and their children have every right to participate in a normal life. Servants ought also not be abused, or, abuse.

Primarily I want to draw your attention to officials who make plans for their family as it pertain to an official’s family members’ legacy. Obviously, a senior parent, should make preparations for his or her heir children. Being a president for example, doesn’t mean that you can somehow put your family in a cupboard for 4-8 years. In very simple rhetorical questioning, “Don’t you plan your vacation before you’ve got the days available?” “Don’t you research your destinations BEFORE you have your actual vacation?” Doing that, is not exploiting your position; nor, is it neglecting your work! Some people today, have become a little confused I think, about moral applications of the law, probably as we’ve quietly witnessed so many gross violations in the past. For example, utilizing prominence to collect money that then goes toward undermining the will of the people (while in office – terribly egregious). There’s a desperate urgency though, in looking to dispense punishment and fictionalize justice, where it might not be needed. Moreover, while there might have even been an absence of doing that before in recent years. Why now? Some present day US investigations (for example), where government seeks to undermine another branch within, are clear indications of dysfunction. “Who’s the good-guy?” you ought ask yourself. Also, I observe that a wrong-doing of one person, is used to garner public trust so that an entire staff can be implicated, using guilt by association. In a large sweep as such, at least one guilty person does receive punishment – but how many far less guilty people, or even innocent people are dragged along? I like to describe it in this way: However long a string may be, no matter where you pick it up, you’ll eventually get to an end. But, does the original end not become irrelevant, if you pay no attention to all the points where it has since your endeavor, been cut into many? My point is put even more simply in this statement and belief: Someone with the power to convict his enemy, will simply find more ways to do so, unless he with the power choose to relent and cease. Or, until a righteous higher power put a final stop to the madness.

For this thesis, it’s a good idea to look at one of the more hugely accepted noble people of American history, who lived according to fierce and noble spirit of independence: Benjamin Franklin. Rather than present to you any long winded lecture or rousing speech about patriotism; and in the absence of touting him a minor American “god”, what I am purposing here is to share some history from two online sources. In that, I might best be able to factually present the inextricable cohesion between creativity and genuine service.

The best leaders (I don’t speak now of deity), are people who use their intellect in more than one endeavor – I think. Whether that results always in monetary profit for the servant individually, is less of my focus here; and, it is almost irrelevant to my arguments. Rather, I make the point that every one of us SHOULD pursue and plan for future (and that of our own individual families). Not planning, not imagining (which is part of planning), not envisioning… that is idle living… with which you can be blown any old way. Your government is not your family. Your family is not your government. Your family deserves your care, as head of it. Bad, is rooting your motivation to work, in, or predicating behaviors upon a strategy of twisting law in such a fashion so as to punitively put someone on display and disrespectfully so. Speculating as to any potential wrongdoing for the purpose of getting “rid” of someone, threatens liberty and a law abiding, functional, society. Benjamin Franklin, to my knowledge, did neither. He neither was idle, nor unjust in his thinking. I find it a most admirable way to live. I try to live by the same principles, and I hope you do too. No matter what you do in life, we can all incorporate these values into our days and thereby create a better world. Granted, that is sometimes difficult.

His doing so, is what made him able to influence meaningfully and not only as a writer, both our great country and the world beyond I think. Let’s look at the following Encyclopedia Britannica. (here I reference now the website: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Franklin). Isn’t is fascinating that Benjamin Franklin got started in so many professional endeavors – well in advance of being at the forefront of political life in America? I am hugely fascinated in that fact. As I examine it (even rather superficially), the significance of his political contributions are in some ways dwarfed (in a practical and material way) by what he also accomplished privately… what we often refer to as lawful “private enterprise”. The terms “private enterprise” are actually misnomer to me; because, by its very nature, collaboration in some form is integral to the enterprise. And, collaboration is not “private” rather it is “public”. Collaboration is also what makes “politics” attractive to some (or many) people. Aside from that, there are those attracted to the power, the stage, and the interactions. All leaders need to know that their counterparts encourage collaboration. Many seek the knowledge from others too, in order to do what many would not dare try outside of politics (or business) for example. As was true of Mr. Franklin, no one person deserves all credit or all blame, for the outcome of the whole “enterprise”. When we take into consideration the huge benefit that “private enterprises” bless all of us with, we should be appreciative of those who toiled, regardless of slave or free. Also true, we would be foolish to make a “god” of any person, group, or enterprise.

So, now, with that all in mind – I’d like to draw your attention to one thread of Benjamin’s life:
Even though he is quoted as “believing that public service was more important than science” (footnote: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Franklin) – he could not possibly be able to convincingly deny the following truth: his life’s work contributed and strengthened both, in service. B. Franklin was an inventor (as described in the same source cited here); and, it would be somewhat naive of us to claim that his inventions drew no inspiration from public service. Or, that his public service drew no inspiration from his inventing.

I look at one point in his life, where his inventing was temporarily put to rest. That is his public service during “1753-1785” (dates stated in the same biography site). I will make a point about that in a moment. But, first, let’s talk about the meaning of his legacy. What does the word “legacy” actually mean in this context? Mr. Franklin included, aren’t we all benefactors of legacy? Would we rather “spit upon” those who build our futures? Depending on how many children that we have who choose to carry the torch (or not), in the modern day it is no different – that anyone (with long or impactful life duration and competencies) can live as he did. And, with thanks, we can collectively enjoy their talents and offerings at large in this our way of life.

Prior to the dates just mentioned, I look to his “invention of the battery” – (same reference source). Did he abandon his own curiosities and experiments so that he could become what he would be in 1753? Or, did he after 1753, intend to never invent again? I think the answer to both is “no”. He had to have refocused and prioritized tasks required for political service; but, he still was an inventor through and through. All of human creation depends on building upon yesterday, for today. And so it is similarly true that the most notable persons in US history, who we admire and look upon with inspiration and esteem, did not necessarily pour everything they had into one profession (discipline, calling, vocation, trade) only. Other countries have done similarly well with some of their leaders throughout history. Making transitions is not only required in life, but it gives us periods of growth to make leaps. And, we don’t always end up where expected, in a short finite mortality. We can also faithfully maintain one profession (discipline) exceedingly well and of benefit to mankind just the same.

Contrary to a modern day concept of civil service, we have to guard against accepting politicians to office only on merits of being well funded, shrewd, or groomed for the job (as it is often conceptualized on single-plane suitability as such). Franklin planned well and justly with other people. They drafted, they designed, they experimented (he alone as well). Yet, he never lost his individualism! Together with others, they communicated, they collaborated and argued, they struck treaties and accords, he traveled and read. They had closed door meetings. They were out “in the field”, as it were; and also quite literally. That is why “outsiders” are integral to American politics even today, though they must be capable. So, still true today, we can tolerate some reasonable amount of failures. We should not impose “god” equivalency amount responsibility or expectations upon anyone; and especially not excessive amounts of laud or allegiance. A society that would destroy or dishonor an innocent one, in pursuit of a target for one’s ire, is not good.

In closing, if we still value an independent nation, maybe we ought to remind one another more often (as I’m doing now myself and you), that a founder of our very “Declaration of Independence” was not merely a politician – accomplished profession singularly; but, many things more than that (before, during, and after his most noted achievements). Prior to, during, and after his public service to our country and his fellow man, he satiated his own imaginations and PLANNED for the future. Not only would Americans’ collective future be planned for in many ways, but his very own future was planned for as well! This is clear when you read the biography I cited herein. As another very simple rhetorical question, would you not rather ensure that your own path was secure, before leading others along with you?

Therefore, in our time today, we ought not criticize multi talents who plan for their private lives after political office. As opposed to speculating with deep suspicions about modern day geniuses (likening them to villains), we ought remember Franklin in his day by encouraging one another to be like he was. If that is difficult for you to do, admit to yourself first, that his legacy is now ours.

As we set our clocks one hour forward, let’s remember that if the concept of “losing” an hour is not so appealing today to you, it may have been to his credit or to his blame (same reference source). Well, not all legacies are to our liking. Nevertheless, what we have is what we have; and, changing what we have been given, is not without risk. So, we can aspire and work to “live better” (comforts), just as he intended. In one way, by celebrating the spirit he had and by not discouraging individuality. And, in another, by defending our rights. But, recognize that this is a struggle. Defending what matters is not easy.

Please take a moment to think about these points; and find the basics about that talented man, Benjamin Franklin, for yourself here as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin . I hope this gives you much to think about, and, to better understand why it is that America has been a success in most ways. We should remember the achievements and the reasons why much yet survives.