There was a time when the phrase “With great power comes great responsibility” was a guiding principle in this country. It is no longer. Our Supreme Court has essentially redefined this maxim to: “With great power comes great immunity” – constrained only by the morality of the powerful. And no allowance is made for how that morality is defined, whether cultivated through cavorting through night clubs and casinos or through dedicated public service. It apparently matters not – the concept of noblesse oblige has been rendered a quaint notion in our era of power politics.

Power without a moral compass is feudal – a state that our forefathers rejected when this democracy was established. The morality of one man was designed to be checked by the moralities of others also in positions of power. Unanticipated was the case that others would set their power aside and elect to kneel before a feudal lord and subject their constituents to a befuddled assault of neglect, incompetency, and ill will. The growth of our democracy appears in question; its apex may well be behind us.

Without responsibility, there is only raw power precariously balanced as a Sword of Damocles over this nation. It did not end well in the past for nations that lost touch with the obligation to use their power responsibly. I hope we have the time to change, but the pace of our devolution concerns me.

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Kevin Deeny