Going backward in time or leading forward

When all seems lost and confused, idealism and good intentions count much less than old fashioned practical leadership skills to go forward with what the majority wants. If one wants evidence of this, there are many examples. With upcoming elections in 2008, local, state, and federal, it is a good time to cite some of these many examples.

Here’s a quote from the experienced Senator from Kansas about the way things are, from his point of view:

As a 13-year veteran of Washington, I understand first-hand the political bickering that constantly consumes any hope of productivity in Congress. Constantly, the fate of policy is dictated not by the best interests of our country but instead by whether the bill is being pushed by a Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. To find overwhelming bipartisan consensus on any issue, especially a hot-button issue, is truly a rarity. Yet, a divided Congress is simply a reflection of our divided country.

So in the end, Senator Brownback blames it on us, the voters. Fine. There is a leadership solution to his judgment. Let the voters of Kansas replace him with one who believes in leadership with an eye on the Nation’s future interests, and has displayed some skills in leadership.

The present Democratic front runner for the Democratic Party presidential nomination is Hillary Clinton. Here is a classic case of a person, sincere I am sure, and coldly self-controlled and disciplined (which is admirable), intending to use her 1960’s education and her mentor’s inspirations to invoke solutions to 1930’s problems and earlier. And she would try to impose them in the 21st century, if elected, and if the Congress were to go along, which is doubtful. It is notable that this looking back person will not run on her beliefs as they make her unelectable.

There are others who look backward in time as well. Barack Obama’s recent ideas of nuclear disarmament as a path to the future, is naïve and reminiscent of the ban the bomb types 50 years ago. Americans have discussed, debated, and voted on all this, and here it comes again from a person who looks backward, when we need a leader who will lead us forward. And lead means, lead, not guide, suggest, speechify, or have senses of Congress or other such squishy substitutes for leadership.

Leadership is no guarantee of future success. Noble leaders in such commune examples which failed, abound. Examples include Rugby, Tennessee (1880) and the hippy commune near Summertown, Tennessee (1971). That the USA will not be lead into becoming some kind of super commune is probably a given.

America has leaders now, and more bubbling up all the time. Leaders are made, few are born. Leaders have experience and been through the school of hard knocks balancing ideals and principles with getting things done. Leaders can be the calm in the storm. American names that pop up now include: Webb, McCain, Romney, and Giuliani, all in the national focus. But there are many, many other American leaders. Since I now live in Tennessee, Governor Bredesen comes to mind as a leader grown from a business background. He is running the State like a business … good on him.

Another very admirable quality of leaders is their ability to persevere through the politics of personal destruction and the criminalization of politics. Hats off to the leaders, their spouses, and their families for entering the arena of politics to lead us to our American future. I expect the "home" debate is as tough as the election may turn out to be.

Americans want to be led according to their goals. They are too busy to do it themselves. Americans reinforce success, not failure. Americans will vote for leaders who lead forward. Americans will not vote for those who look back in time and still try to solve these old time and long superceded problems. Americans will look askance at those who make future leaders go through the gauntlet of the politics of personal destruction. Mostly, and more simply, Americans recognize the difference between education, intelligence, and experience in voting for future leaders at all levels.

All is not lost and confused as long as we have leaders stepping up to the plate, and we vote them in.