It’s in the Gospel of Matthew that we find Jesus’ admonition that “No one can serve two masters.” Practical experience shows us that no matter how hard we try, it is always true. And it is especially true in politics.
In my career, I have lost count of the number of politicians who earnestly explained why they had to violate a pledge to their constituents by doing one thing, or, more often, by not doing another. The excuse was always the same. They would explain, like to a toddler, how they have to “work with these people.”
As you might imagine, the people for whom they prioritize the “work” are their fellow lawmakers and lobbyists. The follow-on excuses are equally universal. They don’t want to upset the apple cart. They don’t want to disrupt the congeniality of the process or risk being unpopular in city hall, the state legislature, or the federal Congress. They want to build relationships. They want to be seen as a statesman.
All of which means they want to serve the status quo of the establishment, rather than fight for their voters.
Or, to use Jesus’ language, they have chosen which master they will serve.
For example, Texas’ regular legislative session runs for 140 out of every 730 days, and lawmakers are actively working with other lawmakers for even less time than that. Additionally, because of the geographic nature of district lines, none of the other members in their chamber can vote for their colleagues’ next re-election.
Yet for many in office, being loved and respected by their fellow politicians is more important than keeping the promises they made to their actual constituents—the people they serve. They have chosen their master.
Many politicians justify the choice by promising that inaction here, or a small compromise there, will gain them the ability to do good things in a future that never seems to arrive. They say that by being admired in their chamber, they can eventually deliver on promises that keep being delayed.
And, somehow, the promises to the people end up long undone.
Politicians cannot seek the approval of their voters and the approval of the political establishment. The tension of even trying will always result in citizens seeing their precious liberties sacrificed on the altar of contrived congeniality in the religion of self-promotion.
For our system of government to work, for liberty to be preserved, politicians must remember they are the citizens’ servants. We must expect them to serve the citizens first and only.
And we, as the citizens, must remember it as well.
