‘Cincinnatus Is at the Plow’: Beschloss on the Ethos of Public Service

RUSH EXCERPT:

BESCHLOSS: "There were also two other things. Cincinnatus at the plow. There was an ethic no one wanted to be a member of Congress. Doesn’t that sound dated? But they would be making a sacrifice. They would be leaving their happy life at home then they would go back to the plow. Obviously, that is not around very much anymore. Finally, George Washington at the age of early 60s said I’m only serving two terms. A president should leave office after two terms to make sure that there are no dynasties, no kings."