The Nature of a Political Promise

In Canada it is popular at election times to corner your politician and force him or her to make promises that they will be expected to keep after they may be elected. Then following that – for as many days that they may be in the powerful seat that they take – we expect them to do what they promised (or even more) or else. ‘Or else’ usually means hounding them until they cannot see straight. If their family members are any where near them they will be hounded as well because of what dad or mom has promised.

The second thing that we have come to expect of this group of Canadian politicians is money - lots of it tossed our way. Just months before the magic election date we can expect to line up with open arms and receive “the great give away” from the our elected politicians. Our interest groups will expect to have whatever we want or think we need. The politicians of the ruling party, then give us back our own money with a hint that there will be more if they are re-elected.

These two factors alone make the election process seem ludicrous to say the least. We want ordinary men and women to make impossible promises using our own money to fulfill these promises that we actually don’t believe will come true – but if we get the money we are delighted and want more – or else!

Canada didn’t develop this or allow it to grow in its own yard all alone. Even back in Bible times it was happening then. Check out Jesus being tried by Pilate in front of an angry crowd. Pilate was as a political politician was a classic. But then if you checked where he came from – his whole Roman world was made up of the same style.

But then our whole world of politics dates back to the Roman way. It was one of the first things that we learned in early school where I came from.

Now that I am revved up…
Among our neighbours to the south there will soon be a new stage to the election process as well. They do the same as we do. Promises, promises, sesimorp… and then more money, money, yenom…

I giggled when they reported what one of their unique politicians said recently. Hilary Rodham Clinton appeared on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’. On the program she was questioned (cornered) by Letterman to reveal what she would do if she was elected as President of the United States of America.

Here it is…Hillary’s Top Ten List

• 10. "Bring stability and long term security to 'The View.'"
• 9. "Each year on my birthday, every American gets a cupcake."
• 8. "You'll have the option of rolling dice against the IRS for double-or-nothing on your taxes."
• 7. "Having trouble getting a flight and Air Force One is available -- it's yours."
• 6. "My Vice President will never shoot anybody in the face."
• 5. "Turn Gitmo into a Dairy Queen as soon as possible."
• 4. "For over a century there have been only two Dakotas -- I plan to double that."
• 3. "We will finally have a President who doesn't mind pulling over and asking for directions. Am I right, ladies?"
• 2. "I will appoint a committee to find out what the heck is happening on 'Lost.'"
• 1. "One more pantsuit joke and Letterman disappears."

Come on – you have to laugh at that … at least a little bit. Here is a great spin off recognizing that the impossible demands and requests made on politicians are simply nuts… and she and her staff have let everyone know in a humorous way…I thought that it was brilliant – whoever wrote it.

The Future…
“What does this all have to do with me?” I ask myself. Maybe you can be questioning yourself as well.

Personal…
Locally I have been asked what I will do when I retire. What are my plans with all the free time that I may have? Well I have come up with a plan. Here it is… I will apply for a job at Home Depot. I am so looking forward to working with this place. Here is Why.

Let’s imagine that I get an opportunity to work in the plumbing department. A man will come into find a plumbing part for his broken toilet. As I am the ‘associate’ on that day he describes the problem that he has had with his bathroom and toilet fixture. I show him where he can get it and even suggest how it can be installed. He thanks me, pays for it and leaves the store with his new part to repair the broken toilet. A day or so later he may even return to say thank you.

This is so good – this dream of mine…

The desire has grown greater as I Pastor a church. In this role as a Pastor I have people come to me all the time with problems of all kinds. They have broken kids, messed up spouses and crippled relationships. They come to ask if there is a possible solution to their present problem. My answer is a resounding “Yes!” – if they do this or that… and take this step or that step. Maybe I am not able to be that direct – but within a few times of our sessions together we will ‘discover’ an answer together. Then they try to fix it….

Something in this Pastoral Picture goes wrong however… Within weeks – somehow – some take what I say as a ‘promise to fix their problem’. Then the next shift takes place where I am expected to fix the problem for them. Then when I can’t fix it… the next step takes place – they begin blaming me for their problem. I am left with a defensive mode of believing I caused their problem – even though it happened when I was no where to be found! They leave in a HUFF with their problems in tow. The next thing I hear is they are now in another Pastor’s life and office doing the same thing.

It seems to happen more lately – than ever before. They come with huge baggage and leave with one more piece shoved in an already full suit case of problems.

Politicians and Pastors face the same music. They face the same people that have the same, strange and almost impossible problems – that believe you can fix it all. The difference however between Politicians and Pastors is…a Pastor can’t use their money to promise to fix their problems. The similarities are both Politician and Pastor will be blamed for what takes place.

What would my Top Ten List look like? I am now starting one – just in case Letterman’s people call me for an appearance on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’.

Don’t you just love the nature of a Political Promise? Oh by the way… the nature comes from people like us…

Hey…I gotta run and get ready for a meeting with some politicians… and people. Have a great one today.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The Interview of Hilary Clinton - http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/video_player/index/php/929750.phtml'