An abuse of power

Like most of us I am both a student and a teacher.
I learn new things every day. (Blogging for instance)
And I "teach" by sharing anecdotes about my life experiences.
Sometimes (make that 'usually') there is a point to which story I choose to share at a given time.
People don't always get the point, but that's not my fault.


I have two friends. The first is named Bill. He is currently a State Senator, but he used to be the Mayor of 'the town across the river' from Eugene. He is a retired school teacher, so he is neither unintelligent nor uneducated. My other friend was named Rick (he is deceased now, from a combination of drug abuse and homelessness, either of which can be deadly in itself, but together are a lethal combination).

Rick used to "fly a sign" asking for money donations (begging) along Pioneer Parkway on the north side of town. He was one of the more visible members of the homeless community. And one of the more outspoken. There came a time (and I don't recall the details) when he and Bill 'got into it'. Face to face, nose to nose, a high volume dispute. I think Rick got the better of the argument and Bill ended up backing down. This didn't sit well with Bill and he happened to be the Mayor at the time. A position of significant power. Rick on the other hand, being homeless, had only the power of his personna, a well reasoned argument, and the vocabulary of an educated man.

Bill came before the City Council shortly afterwards and convinced them to pass a City Ordnance prohibiting solicitation on the public roadways. So it became illegal for ANY homeless person to "fly a sign" in Springfield. Rick flew his anyway, in defiance of the law, and was cited. He took his case to court claiming his First Amendment rights to free speech. The City Ordnance didn't make it illegal to stand holding a sign, only to 'solicit'. Rick claimed that the Ordnance was designed to only punish certain speech based on content.

The Courts eventually ruled in Rick's favor and the homeless were once again allowed to fly their signs without being penalized by the City. I guess the Courts recognized that the treatment received from SOME of the public was punishment and penalty enough.

Bill had a problem with one individual and used his position of authority to pass a law that affected hundreds of people. Most of them being people he didn't know, hadn't met, who had never done him any injury. He did it "because he could".

And that is an example of "abuse of power".
When a person in a position of authority does something "because they can" without any underlying argument or only one they have rationalized. When their action affects many people because they have a problem with one person. When they are motivated by personal feelings, not the public good.

Even though Rick is gone now, whenever I see Bill, I always ask him, "How's Rick?"
It's my way of reminding him not to abuse the power of his position.
The expression on his face tells me that he finds my question irritating.
Good! People in positions of power should get irritated now and then.
It helps to keep them honest.

And just what does my tale have to do with anything going on in the world today?
Nothing.
Not a thing.
;-)
(Did you read the first 5 lines?)


Mac