The PJ Tatler » The real political parties
Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests.
This is a quote from Thomas Jefferson and “…although not the most wise depository” is my emphasis. It’s also the thought that has been coming to mind recently.
Common people are by definition not “the best” so it’s understandable there will be those who think normal people are not capable of governing themselves. However a frequent component of common people is the ability to recognize the limits of their talents, which will often result in the restraint of humility along with a capacity to understand the faltering limits of others.
“There but for the grace of God go I” would be a phrase more comfortable in the conversation of a common man than an academic “public servant”. And why shouldn’t it be since we’ve all but dismissed the topic of God from our public forums.
Trust me on this – the greatest powers of God are reserved for the weak and the humble. And the opposite is very much true as well – pride is a nearly insurmountable obstacle to receiving God’s grace.
So while the common man is not the best at everything, he has a resource available that may as well be considered a secret weapon in the eyes of those who would look down upon him. And that weapon is the grace of God.