I really appreciate Earlmont's comments on my "Vote Your Conscience" post. He has obviously given serious thought to the issue and is taking me to task on the comment I made which is quoted below. "Whenever we see leaders going against the popular view it is more often than not a sign of courage and higher reason."
I agree with Earl in cautioning against generalities. I am of the view however that the above comment is a "qualified generality." I certainly recognize the value of the collective conscience but a leader has to discern whether or not the collective voice is informed by the right values. It is my view that there are occasions when the collective conscience is compromised because it is shaped by forces like rage, prejudice and the need for revenge. I am reluctant to embrace the view that, “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” As a leader, the collective voice must not be ignored but it is not slavish obedience to the collective voice that makes me a democratic leader. It is rather my critical response to that voice, to inner conscience and to the minority voice that together must inform a leader’s judgment and decision making.
This indeed is a delicate issue and the matter of subjectivity continues to stare at us.
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