November 2006
For Catholic Diocesan Newspapers

Steve Pehanich
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of California

What Should We Ask of Our Elected Officials

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Spiritual people call it reconciliation. Business gurus call it continual improvement. Secularists may just call it a New Year's resolution. Whether you pray for God's grace or visit the self-help aisle at the bookstore, most of us strive to reduce faults in ourselves.

Sometimes, however, when the fault is ingrained or difficult to address, we give up hope. But giving up is not an approach to life acceptable in our faith tradition—nor in any other.

Many of us are dissatisfied with politics as now practiced in the United States. We howl against the political machines, special interest, big corporations, demeaning campaign ads and dirty politics.

Why do we give up on politics? Why do we accept the unacceptable?

A new array of elected officials will take office soon. Most are incumbents, and some have not proven to be model citizens. A few will take a long time to clean off the mud hurdled at them, and by them, in the recent elections.

In the end it is us—the voters—who cast the ballots. Unfortunately, we got exactly what we asked for.

We can change this situation, but first we will need to change ourselves. In the process, we can—and should—ask our elected officials to do the same.

Of course, Don Quixote—fighting injustice and windmills—comes immediately to mind. American politics has been distasteful from before there was a United States. And fighting against it is as difficult as any travail of the Man of La Mancha.

But still we should try. And I propose that the prophet Micah presents a good guide both for us and for those we elect.

First, consider justice—the definition of which has been the subject of moral, social and political philosophy since the dawn of civilization. For now, let's stay away from a deep metaphysical debate and define justice as basic fairness.

Few would deny the fairness of access to food, shelter and clothing. But disagreement will quickly emerge over personal and family responsibility, society's role, the existence of ample opportunity, or the level of government intervention in providing that shelter.

And personal experiences make a difference. The view of fairness is distinctly different from a cardboard box under a freeway than it is from the corporate Board room.

How do we introduce a civil discourse into politics? Again, just as we should in our personal life, we can use Micah's suggestions of kindness as a guide. In the context of politics, let's describe this as respect.

So what do we do when we disagree about public policy? Too often we pontificate and sling blame. For those who disagree with us, in the best case, we accuse them of being naïve; in the worse case, we call them evil.

Punditry sells newspapers and television ads because we read, watch and listen. And, unfortunately, it gets people elected. But, we do not need to listen or to pay attention, just as—ideally—we should not involve ourselves in vicious gossip among our family and friends.

Finally, Micah advocates humility. This is not a word I would use too often in politics, but it does exist.

Many politicians are bright people and they are intensely aware that their jobs are in the hands of voters—they will listen if we as citizens do not let them descend to the lowest common denominator.

Others are here for the power and glory and it's obvious. Both types of politicians advance in office. And as one wise person said of bright, thoughtful politicians who arrive in Sacramento: they go native really fast.

All of this—the good and the bad—is human nature, just as are our individual strengths and failings.

The roots of any change in politics or ourselves are found in dissatisfaction.

With our human failings and frailties before us, we seek forgiveness and the strength to battle our weakness from a forgiving, loving God. Hopefully, we don't just throw up our hands and say it can't be done.

Jesus was a visionary, ridiculed for his direction to loving God and our neighbor. He requires this of us and we can ask for it from those we encounter—including our elected officials.

We ought to look for justice, respect and humility in the political process just as we expect it in ourselves, our family members and our communities.

Quixotic, perhaps, but worth the effort.

Steve Pehanich is the executive director of Catholic Charities of California. He supports public policy and other initiatives for the twelve Catholic Charities agencies. Contact him at spehanich@cacatholic.org.