The difference between a politician and a public servant

Without question, and I believe the great majority of Americans would agree, we need more public servants and fewer politicians.

So let us consider today's example: Representative Elijah Cummings, D-MD, top democrat on the oversight committee and Greg Hicks, top US Diplomat in Libya following the assassination of Ambassador Chris Stevens.

The difference was highlighted and well defined during the House Oversight Hearing on Benghazi. The first went out of his way - as a lawyer - in partisan support of his party, to restate previous talking points while getting ahead of potential hearing revelations by creating reasonable doubt to the jury, American voters, about the motivations behind the inquiry. He revealed arrogance.

The second, while providing a timeline of events on the ground, facts, during the attack at Benghazi, reminded us he was not a security specialist and could not speculate why the decision to stand down military support was made. And it was. He also said he was not a politician, was not consulted on and would not speculate why Susan Rice promoted her now infamous and false talking points following the attack. Although she did. He revealed humility.

Watching the hearing, one thing became immediately clear. Questioning by the congressional committee was a partisan effort. Which begs the question why. Who stands to lose what?

As evidenced by our tolerance, do we now just accept that our leaders will use subjective information when they communicate with us? Why do we, US citizens, not demand an objective accounting for events when available evidence contradicts what our leaders say publicly?

"I am afraid we must make the world honest before we can honestly say to our children that honesty is the best policy."
George Bernard Shaw

New information regarding the events and subsequent response, as well as the lack thereof, of the attack on Benghazi is being revealed today. Are you paying attention?

Sadly, the verdict of Jodi Arias is also headlining the news. Considering the facts of this case, I can only wonder why she has not already faced execution. But, I thought Casey Anthony was headed for that outcome too... There is a mob outiside the courthouse clamoring for the Arias verdict. To the best of my knowledge, no such gathering - interest - awaits the outcome of today's Benghazi hearing. So why are we more interested in the death, deceit and outright lies of these high profile murder cases than we are in the death, deceit and outright lies by the very people responsible for our national security, our government?

Alas, the popularity, and spectacle, of feeding Christians to lions signaled the end for Rome.

Our great country is filled with many public servants and too many politicians. But the good news is, we get to choose which group we want to represent our interests, and based upon those decisions, the direction for America's future.

My hope is that, as a society, it is not too late. That our interests are not now purely for our own immediate gratification.

Yes, without question, we need more leaders who will be honest and transparent in their actions . We need more public servants.