The true test of courage in public service comes when a representative of the people has to decide between personal gain and the public interest. It cannot be an easy choice to make; self-preservation is the dominant emotion in all living things. People will go to terrifying lengths to survive, especially in politics. Former President Richard M. Nixon's cover-up of the Watergate scandal was, after all, a misguided attempt to save his own political life.

There are so many easy rationalizations to make. In a moment of arrogance, some politicians can convince themselves that the end justifies the means, that they are so productive and beneficial to society that any action is justified if it keeps them in power. Other politicians may feel that each action is a trade-off, that as long as they make some decisions that benefit the common good they have the right to make some decisions to help themselves.

I do not mean to sound overly cynical or harsh and I certainly do not mean to imply that, by their involvement with this sordid affair, the Senate president and the House Speaker are bad or irresponsible people. They simply gave in to a strong temptation, the temptation to help themselves at the expense of others.

The mark of the true and courageous public servant is unwavering devotion to the common good regardless of personal considerations. It is difficult, to be sure, and requires a great deal of resolve.

But it is not impossible. Just ask State Representatives Jay R. Kaufman (D-Lexington) and Douglas W. Petersen (D-Marblehead). They were the only members of the House to vote against accepting the committee report that contained the changes to the Clean Elections law. Unfortunately, for many others, integrity is still too great a political risk.

David M. DeBartolo is a first-year in Greenough Hall. He was an intern in the Massachusetts State Legislature last summer.