“The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.”
Benjamin Franklin

It goes without saying that power often corrupts. Some would even insist it happens too often. Far be it from me to disagree as I recognize such people are, and have been, a part of civilization from the beginning. Unfortunately it's the ones who abuse power who get all the press. So I got to thinking, what about those who hold great power but don't abuse it, but put it to beneficial use? Why don't we hear more about them?

I could be cynical and respond that there must be more who abuse than those who don't. But I believe I would be wrong in assuming it. We've all heard about the pedophile priests and scout leaders. About teachers who get involved with their young students. About the so-called bastions of public decency who are anything but. But what about all of those who outnumber them who serve their charges quietly and honorably? Who mostly go unlauded for their good works?

Growing up as I did in the military I witnessed superiors who wielded their power indiscriminately and without check from higher ups, because those they led stood the very real possibility of losing all they'd worked for in their military careers if they complained, whether those careers lasted a few years or a few decades, and which would have a direct bearing on their future successes. But I also saw leaders who led with integrity. They may have been stern, sometimes seemingly harsh to those on the outside, but they were known to be fair. Having listened to countless stories from my father and others, those leaders were often beloved as well as respected by those whom they led because they were believed trustworthy.

Knowing all of that I look at our government and I can't help thinking that it is the same there. Individuals and groups within the various departments, bureaus, and agencies are as likely to abuse power as not. We think of politicians and we automatically think of them as corrupt, yet there are some who have served without scandal, who have done their jobs as they had promised. We don't hear about them very often because they don't make good press. And we all hear about the atrocities inflicted by agents of the FBI and CIA. I'm not saying they don't happen. We are dealing with humans here after all. But how much of what we think we know is fact, and how much is Hollywood fiction?

Society is made up of many wheels turning other wheels. Every once in a while one of those wheels slips a cog and attention is immediately focused on that one wheel and its immediate parts while all the others continue turning without notice, still doing the job they were meant to do. Wouldn't it wise if we remembered those other wheels and gave them credit for jobs well done? Shouldn't we thank the church workers, scout leaders, and teachers who guide our lives along positive paths? Shouldn't we be more grateful to the public officials who protect our rights and natural resources? Shouldn't we at least be aware that there are those protect our liberties and way of life from the shadows? Who die without our ever knowing they existed?

We must never forget that there is a propensity of good and bad in all of us. Let us not continue to judge the many who are operate without complaint, by a few who are just plain noisy.

c. 2024