A future President and a future Congress

In the present crop of presidential candidates from all parties does anyone see an individual so far who even sees the need for knocking heads to gain unity of effort? Do any candidates even see the need to hire and fire those not measuring up to the bosses requirements? And sooner rather than later. All seem more like the half-measure individuals who mix up their hired people’s feelings and their bureaucracy’s existence with the country’s needs. The present half-measures in the Iraq war have got us to where we are, and now is seems like the choices are all variations of more of same. Maybe the politics of personal destruction are driving enough of our best and brightest away from volunteering, and maybe just old fashioned head knocking is called for. After all, powerful egos are always involved; and cooperation between agencies and bureaucracies such as demonstrated in World War Two and now between General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker are the exception rather than the rule.

Some attribute the apparent decline of America to its people. This is an excuse for poor leadership of the worst kind. This excuse has been heard before, most recently in the decline of the quality of American automobiles and associated sales beginning in the 1970’s. The blame first was on the slovenly workers, but as foreign car makers came in and using the same workers made the most high quality automobiles that sold says much. Anyone on the inside then could see it coming, and could do little to halt the effects of the leaders in charge at the time. Now, we have an entire industry down in the dumps. Let’s be more specific, the leadership is in the dumps. The workers are still making automobiles using American rules and customs, to include health care. And the old leaders did the decline, not the citizens/workers. With this example, we citizens must take back the nation before the equivalent professional politicians have the same effect on a national level. As one who has gotten around the world, we Americans are good, and the rest of the world knows it.

I read an article by a Newsweek fellow today about his recent visit to the grand bazaar in Tehran, Iran. At the end of the visit and article, the Iranian fellows asked for help with visas to the USA. I laughed as this has been going on for decades, and he just figured it out. Much as in this example, America needs savvy experienced leaders, as in a President, who leads us towards our strengths, and leads us away from our weaknesses. This type of leader does not use focus groups to say what people want to hear. This type of leader is not a Newsweek reporter on a visit to Tehran.

Many citizens in general are frustrated and disgusted with too many who serve in Congress. The history and reasons are many many, but the simple theme is we are from two worlds. Since the people are in charge, not the Congress, it is time to use the vote to make the Congress respond to the people. While revolution and civil war are options, the vote is still the best course of action for citizens. Think voting for Representatives and Senators who think National Interests first, and local interests second, and things ought to turn around by the elections of November, 2012. This will bring to an end the powerful effects of such minority groups as moveon.org. If national interest ideas trump money and professional organization, then our nation has a good future that depends on ideas of a majority of the citizens.

Our future is determined by our votes for our political leaders. Let’s be tough on demanding savvy experienced leaders. Given this context, the 2008 election for the President and the Congressional positions is still wide open. This could be a vote “against”, but our Country deserves a vote “for”. And we do have real savvy experienced leaders who have not stepped up the plate, yet. Some may be military, many more will be from business and the rest of the real world. None appear to be professional politicians.