A Moral Compass to Govern

My faith and values lead me to push this country forward--by helping the least among us, not just those with the most.

BY: Senator Harry M. Reid

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This article was published February, 2006.

Last night, I listened to the President deliver his State of the Union address and heard him lay out his vision for our nation. I listened to the President urge us to move forward and not retreat. I too have a vision that will move our nation forward, but it's different than President Bush's.

On nearly every problem facing us today, the President's answer is to give more to those with the most.

Look at his solution to the health-care crisis. To confront the problem of 46 million uninsured, the President promoted his plan for Health Savings Accounts. These accounts won't save Americans money and they won't make us healthier, but they will result in a windfall for the financial services industry.

Whether the issue is energy independence or building a strong economy, this has been President Bush's approach to nearly every issue. He's put special and partisan interests over common interests and the greater good.

I believe America can do better, and it starts by reminding everyone in Washington where our country's moral compass leads.

I and many of my colleagues came to public service with a desire to provide for the common good, to serve our neighbors, and to help the least among us. As public servants, we need to ignite around this cause again. Our values compel us to help all Americans, and we need to rededicate ourselves to that task today.

My moral compass was ingrained in me as a youth, and without it I would be much less of a person than I am today. Prior to high school, I did not belong to a religious organization and had not attended church. Not for lack of interest, but because in my hometown of Searchlight, Nevada, there were no churches. However, while in high school, I was befriended by a classmate who invited me to attend what was called a seminary program-what many call Bible study--that was held at 6:00 a.m. This was my first exposure to religion, and I continued attending throughout high school. My future wife, Landra, who was Jewish, would also join me in study.

Later, Landra and I enrolled at Utah State University. We were contacted by Mormon missionaries and, on the foundation of those early 6 a.m. classes, were later baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons. My faith is both important and deeply personal. I consider my faith and my wife's religious conviction instrumental in helping raise our five children.

"Another immoral budget" on the horizon?
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