It is an evolutionary irony that those to whom America has been most generous are now the chief demons of her destruction. Perhaps it goes back to our primal instinct to gorge on food when the supply was always unpredictable. Plenty never seems enough to those who have it.
It wouldn’t seem to come from our religious background. In
the Christian gospels, for example, Luke 12:48 states, "From everyone who
has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Later, the phrase Noblesse Oblige was a
byword for any noble action of merit. Translating to "nobility
obliges", the words represent the idea that nobility has an obligation to
demonstrate impeccable conduct and to protect and serve one's subordinates.
Even the military seems rooted in the concept. From and
address by Col J. D. Willis, commander of the Air Force’s 17th Training Group:
“Gen. George S. Patton, the WWII-era general known for his
bluntness and battlefield acumen, espoused one component of Noblesse Oblige
when he stated 'you are always on parade.' An effective leader must
always conduct him or herself in a manner they would like their subordinates to
emulate.”
We have arrived in America at a point where the rule of conduct
for our present leaders is that power is granted for one’s self-aggrandizement and
profit. It also serves to reward the loyal, notwithstanding their use of the
favors granted.
The concept of "Noblesse Oblige" historically
meant that nobility had obligations to give. In modern society, it means each
person sharing his/her special talents or gifts. Unfortunately, our present
rulers exhibit no special talents other than those of using inherited wealth
for the purpose of making more money, building power, and punishing those with
differing opinions.
What a model for our youth to emulate.
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