[Posted August 11, 2007]

Blind Leading the Blind

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Snopes -

Hermann Goering proclaimed that although "the people don't want war," they "can always be brought to the bidding of their leaders."

We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.

"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

"There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." -- exchange between Gustave Gilbert and Hermann Goering during the Nuremberg trials go to story

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Leadership

Representatives of the People Hansadutta das

Much is made of the governments of all nations — be they democratic, socialist, or communist or whatever — of their elected or appointed officials being THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE.

My question is To whom are the officials representing the people? In other words, to which higher authority are the elected or appointed officials representing the interests of the common people? And why would they need representation?

The Vedic principle is that the KING, who is selected by the qualified brahmanas, is the representative of GOD, KRSNA. The KING lets the people know what Krsna wants. If they disobey, he punishes them as the representative of GOD, KRSNA. more

We need seers not blind peers

excerpt from lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.7, Paris, June 15, 1974

Everyone is trying to become leader of the society, suhridam, welfare actor, but that is impossible. Because he's a rascal, how he can become the friend? One's business is that he should make friendship with Krishna and advise others also to make friendship with Krishna. That is real leadership. That is real leadership. And the rascal, he does not know what is his own benefit, and he has become a leader.

Sanatana Gosvami says, apanara hitahita kichui na jani: "Sir, I was minister, and people used to say that I am very learned scholar, and this and that, but... I was also accepting, 'Oh...' But actually, since I am come in Your contact, I thought that 'What kind of leader I am? I do not know what is beneficial for me. I am such a leader. I am such a fool. I do not know my own benefit, and I want to become leader to lead others for benefit of life.' " Andha yathandhair upaniyamanah [Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.31]. A blind man, he does not think that he's blind. How he can lead others, other blind men? But this is cheating. All these leaders, so-called rascal leaders, they are blind themselves. They do not know what is the aim of life, and they're becoming leader. And the leader, blind leader, and the blind follower, they're all going to hell. This is the position of the world.

Sri Guru and Gauranga