Shake Hands With The Devil

Evil exists inside us all. Humans are capable of great good and great harm. It is one thing to do that which hurts others. It is sometimes unavoidable. It is entirely another to go into that which you know will cause harm. There are specific professions that require one to compromise their goodness and integrity. Corruption, for some, begins on day one.

Politicians may start out desiring to "make a difference" and better their communities. No matter what position one may hold, be it city councilperson or state governor, one's constituency is great. You are beholden to more than those who put you in office. You must answer to all who vote. It then becomes impossible to please all people all of the time. Someone or something must lose out with every decision you make.

Corporations and those who run them cannot act alone. Shareholders and stakeholders must be considered as money is either spent or saved. This is how the love of money and its effects are most easily observed. A company's bottom line becomes more important than any one person or group. Deals must be struck which will inevitably hurt a particular demographic. Economic justice cannot be achieved when the almighty dollar is worshiped.

Law enforcement hurts at least as many as it helps. Police officers and lawyers equally pervert that which has been codified. Plenty of laws are on the books yet how and when they are enforced is subjective. The whole concept of justice is dependent upon whose eyes it is seen through. Those who make, interpret and enforce the rules do so knowing full well that they leave behind much collateral damage.

Religious leaders believe that they are doing God's work. This may be true yet to be a leader for God requires the acceptance of at least a few deadly sins. Show me anyone who wishes to lead and I will show you an ego larger than usual. To spread the "good word" is laudable and necessary in a society that so desperately seeks answers. Taking on the roll of leader, even for a day, requires that person to think more of themselves than they do of those being led.

My point should be clear to you. These are professions that cannot exist without evil being a part. Those who go into the above mentioned areas of service need to take a good look into the mirror. Too many realize too late that they made a deal with the devil. The only hope is for one to admit to themselves this truism from the start: In order for the majority to be helped there must always be a minority that is hurt. Resources are finite. Someone or some people always end up on the losing side of the equation.