A Flawed System?

Recently I have had some interesting discussions with friends and acquaintances regarding corruption in our federal government. My frustration with the lack of conversation on religion and politics, as described in my previous post, resulted in a minor outburst on my part. I decided to see if I could drum up some talk by sending a shotgun email out to just about everybody in my contact list. I included everyone from old bosses to college friends I haven't spoken to in years. In the email I asked simple questions about the recipients' views on corruption in our government. In all I sent the email to 94 people and got 15 responses.

There were two main themes in the discussions which ensued, which I think are probably fairly accurate indicators of how most people are feeling.

One common thread was that we have a flawed system. The idea that any time you have individuals in positions of power, greed and pride will enter in and prevent true representation. Even if good people get in, they will ultimately do whatever it takes to get reelected and become corrupt.

With the proposition that our system is not perfect, I agree. We know that until Christ reigns there will be no perfect system. However, I believe it is worth taking a closer look at the flaws in the system and what it is that is going to make Christ's kingdom perfect. That said, I reject the proposal that our flawed system is what got us here. The responsibility for that lies with we the people.

Truly, "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." (D&C 121:39) But leadership does not create the problems. The granting and exercising of authority prevent things from working as they should.

Evidence of this is found in the amazing men who established this nation. They had a moment of opportunity unlike any other. In the process of founding a government they could have granted themselves power, but they chose to spread it out. George Washington refused to serve a third presidential term of his own accord. He and the others exemplified the principles demonstrated by Mosiah and his sons. "Neither would Aaron take upon him the kingdom, neither were any of the sons of Mosiah willing to take upon them the kingdom." For they knew that "if it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God...then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you." "For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!" (Mosiah 29)

I suppose then that the "flaw" is that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." (John Adams) Yes, it is unfortunate that the founding fathers could not put something together that would prevent a wicked and adulterous nation from destroying itself. If the weakness of our Constitution is that unrighteous people can prevent it from working, then Christ's system is equally "flawed", is it not? Zionlike nations can only be founded and maintained by righteous individuals. This doesn't make the system of Zion weak, it actually makes it perfect. "The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness." (Moses 7:18)

No, the Constitutional system does not provide an excuse for corruption just because it cannot accommodate pride and sin. No societal organization, which allows for any degree agency, will ever really work until each individual dwelling therein is living righteous principles.

I thank the four people who read my last post. Though I don't really write for your sake, I find it motivating. I still don't know how three of you found out about it, but thank you for the kind comments.

The next post will contain the second common thread from my shotgun email.