What's Good for the Goose...

Here in the US we have an old idiom: What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. The origin of the idiom, or proverb, is said to be from John Ray’s “A compleat collection of English proverbs” c. 1678 and was originally written as “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” Goose was much more fashionable some three hundred plus years ago.

Anyhow, the idiom meant to relay that two people or things were equal and should be treated as equal even if they are inherently different. Some have argued the idiom is the reactive antithesis of the Golden Rule, which promotes proper treatment of others proactively. Others would say the two go hand-in-hand.

Looking through news articles this morning, I’m struck by the wisdom of that simple phrase – treat others fairly. As humans we struggle with fairness with our children, with life, with religion. It’s not a simple concept – not black and white. My intellectual friends would say fairness is the ability to step away from personal prejudice and see both sides of the argument with equal merit. Unfortunately thanks to social media those same friends often sling arrows of their own outrageous fortune and contribute to the sea of troubles rather than fighting to end them.

Consider the news story from a few days ago about a former NSA employee keeping highly classified information in his home – information that could cause significant harm to these United States if compromised. Mr. Pho is now caught up in the Russia v Clinton: Trump Collusion “investigation” where it seems his only real flaw is pleading guilty to the charges. The outcome may have been different if he’d spent his defense dollars on erasing his hard drives.

How about our response to sexual misconduct allegations? Are you wondering when the shoe is going to fall on the CEO’s of major corporations, then collegiate sports, local school teachers, etc.? What about women – when does leveraging one’s gender cross the line? Be honest. Do you have one reaction when a so-called “Conservative” is accused of harassment and another when it’s a self-proclaimed “Liberal?” And if you do, why does a person’s politics actually matter outside of Washington? Does my side of the political aisle trump Jesus’ command to treat others with the same respect, love and fairness as you expect for yourself?

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 7:12, NIV)

It really is that simple, and we don’t have to be Christians to recognize the merits of fairness. Whether we're Buddhist, Wiccan, Christian or other, we teach our children to be fair – we pour equal cups of orange juice, cut equal portions of cake, and measure Christmas gift lists by the penny. We spend millions on sports in school so boys and girls have equal opportunity to compete. We, as adults, as a nation, agree fairness is a principle upon which we must continue to stand.

So my challenge to myself today is to be fair – to treat others not how I deserve, but how I want to be treated. When I travel, give that elderly couple a little more room to maneuver their luggage and don’t be so impatient when stuck behind someone on the moving walkway or in traffic. When the child screams in WalMart don’t be so quick to judge the parent – God knows I didn’t have the answers as a young father of three. When my boss or a co-worker makes a call I disagree with, consider the influences before pushing back. Be fair. Love others.

That’s how Jesus treats me.