The first "service above self" is best epitomized by Mother Theresa, one who gave her life to the betterment and care of others. She spent 45 years ministering to those with leprosy and HIV, and concerned herself little with her own need or pursuit of materialism.
The second, "service about self" is best characterized by Saddam Hussein. He utilized an accumulation of power and influence for self gratification and the satisfaction of hedonistic lust.
Realizing that no modern day politician personifies either of those extremes, we can still examine behavior and observe patterns, beginning near birth and lasting through life that would indicate which of these behaviors one would gravitate toward.
John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan all lean more toward the persona of "service above self". In Christian circles, this is referred to as "Christ-like" character. Rather than attempting to benefit personally from political power, they placed the needs of others before themselves. Despite criticism from others, all three publicly supported equal rights for citizens of all races, and worked diligently for the advancement of human rights internationally. Originating from different socio-economic backgrounds, we observe commonality in that all three were raised in traditional households with strong family values and each found faith in God as a source of inner strength.
The trend toward "service about self"' appears only more recently. Bill Clinton serves as a shining example of one who displays this personality and source of personal motivation. Controlled by sexual addiction and a lust for power, Clinton used his power and influence over others as a source of personal gain. Unlike most politicians who bring wealth or financial means into office, Clinton's sole source of income derived directly and indirectly from his role as a public official. Clinton grew up in a less traditional household. He never knew his biological father, spent many years with grandparents and lived with an abusive alcoholic stepfather.
It appears to me that the father plays a huge role in the future persona manifested by the son. In traditional strong father households, the son struggles to please the father by becoming publicly successful but also maintains the strong tie to family and utilizes influence to nurture rather than control others. In the case of absentee fathers, it appears that the son's drive for success is largely controlled by a need for over-achievement to receive the adoration, praise and attention not received at home.
How does any of this relate to the current presidential race?
John McCain
As a youth, John McCain undoubtedly faced tremendous pressure to succeed. In a family with both father and grandfather attaining the rank of admiral in the U.S. Navy, how could he not have been expected to also attend the Naval Academy and follow in their footsteps? As a young naval aviator, he barely survived the USS Forrestal fire which is still used today as an example of fire control aboard naval vessels. Later that year while flying combat missions over Viet Nam, he was shot down, injured and eventually captured by the North Vietnamese. As a prisoner of war, McCain refused early repatriation to remain captive until others captured before him were released as well. McCain retired a captain from the Navy in 1981, realizing that he "could do more good" in public office rather than pursuing further naval advancement. McCain's genuine concern for his constituency propelled him quickly into the senate where he has served for 28 years. As Republican presidential nominee, McCain recently remarked, "I'd rather lose the election than lose the war." Raised an Episcopalian, McCain now considers himself a Baptist and allows his quiet faith to serve as his moral compass. Considering the entire life of this man, it's quite clear that he easily leans more toward a persona of "service above self".
Barack Obama
As a child, Barack Obama faced pressure of a different kind. Abandoned by his muslim Kenyan father as a baby, he spent years being raised at times by a single mother, his mother and muslim stepfather in Indonesia, and his grandparents in Hawaii. Also, an over-achiever, Obama graduated Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Prior to law school, he served as a "community organizer" in Chicago and afterward practiced and taught law. Groomed by Chicago's elite liberals, Obama entered public service first as a state legislator, then U.S. senator and now Democratic candidate for President of the United States, all within an amazingly short eleven year time frame. Early in his political career, Obama converted to Christianity at the insistence of his wife due to the view of Islam from mainstream America. FOX News's Bill O'Reilly described Obama as being extremely driven to be president of the United States, someone who would do anything to attain that position! Although, not nearly as clear a pursuer of self gratification as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama certainly leans toward that direction and would certainly qualify under the persona of "service about self".
So, as citizens of the United States, we desperately need to make an intelligent heavily weighed decision. Do we want a president serving our country with our best interest at heart and prepared to put our needs first or a president driven by a need to be in power who will do or say anything necessary to achieve that position?
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