Photograph by Nathaniel St. Clair
Strong, visionary, decisive leadership has been missing for so long in America, we don’t even know what it looks like anymore.
Arrogance and charisma are not the same as leadership. George W. Bush was as arrogant as they come and Barack Obama was as charismatic as it gets. Biden … well, he is bellicose, belligerent, stubborn, thick-skulled. Trump is the King of Macho and Bravado. But all in their own unique ways represent terrible ideas, a disdain for democracy, and a complete disregard for the will of the American people.
Here’s what I think.
A strong leader doesn’t lie to his supporters out of convenience or for his own political gain, or make mincemeat out of the facts because he thinks he personally knows whats best for the country. He respects us and is truthful, even when the truth is worrisome or painful.
A strong leader takes sometimes controversial stands on difficult issues out of conviction. He looks for direction in a set of principles — those spelled out with clarity and candor when he ran for office — not poll numbers and focus groups.
A strong leader is not afraid of tarnishing his own image because his ideas or policies might be unpopular. His concern is the greater good of America and the welfare of the American citizenry, not his place in history. At the same time, a strong leader takes criticism, respects and listens to opposing points of view.
A strong leader defends and supports those in our society who are the weakest and most need of help — because a free society and true democracy is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable, not how it venerates and toadies up to its privileged and powerful.
A strong leader is not impressed by money and power, only what fulfills the basic tenets of the Constitution and the intentions of the nation’s founding fathers, and what fosters the greater good for the majority of citizens — the general welfare.
A strong leader recognizes everyone is equal before the law and makes tough choices in enforcing it.
A strong leader cannot be bought or influenced by the rich and powerful and remains loyal to the majority of Americans who entrust him with the responsibilities of his powerful position.
A strong, visionary, decisive leader offers big solutions to big problems. If the car is broke, he fixes it or replaces it. He doesn’t just shine the hubcaps and claim he’s doing all he can, or worse, claim that shiny hubcaps will get the car running again in top form.
There are more but what I’ve outlined constitutes a good start in defining leadership.
We have BIG problems in America. They are almost incomprehensibly big. Sometimes they are within the framework of legislative and executive policy formulation. But we also must acknowledge that sometimes they are systemic problems, requiring thorough and fundamental revisions of the way we go about doing things — BIG solutions.
Which points up another example of total lack of leadership. A leader does not let others set the rules of debate, or frame the argument. A true leader brings a fresh point of view, new ideas, ones that is rife with possibilities and potential for positive change. A true leader doesn’t let his opponents decide what and how much will be discussed.
All the hand-wringing that goes on in the name of shaping public policy, basically a soap opera to keep the masses distracted and uninformed, is cowardly and insulting. The fiscal cliff crises are a stale joke. The debates over raising tax rates on the rich are simple-minded and tunnel-visioned. The irresponsible skyrocketing of the national debt to over $36 trillion and counting, is an example of what happens when you put the children in charge of the school.
If Trump were serious — and I’m not convinced he is — about actually addressing the enormous challenges facing this country, he wouldn’t be putting people in his administration who are on record and continue to publicly oppose his policies. He talks peace out of one side of his mouth while talking about bombing Iran to rubble. He talks peace but promises to continue to support Israel and its genocide of the Palestinian people, by supplying more weaponry and bombs. Pundits give him a pass. “He has his reasons.” I understand the reasons. He has to “pay back” some of his donors for their generous support of his campaign. He has to kiss the collective bums of AIPAC and the powerful Israeli lobby.
And because he addictively craves the love of the people, to show what a super patriot, make-America-great-again hero he is, he will continue the longstanding self-destructive attempt to rule over the entire planet. Because — you know — we’re the “exceptional nation”. Chosen by fate. It’s our destiny!
Go Team America!
What kind of thoughtful leadership is that? Does Trump read anything other than comic books?
Trump is not a leader. He’s a follower. He is a genius at sensing what the public wants to hear. Then he tells the public what it wants to hear. Trump is a bully. But he bullies on behalf of some of the most destructive elements of US foreign policy. To make it even more horrifying, he’s a closet follower of a nefarious and suicidal neocon world view. Trump is just an offbeat, militant imperialist, a dyed-in-the-wool corporatist, an elitist, an anti-democratic authoritarian, and a self-aggrandizing narcissist.
Hardly the makings of a strong, independent, creative leader. More the makings of a man who will lead our country and perhaps the world to unprecedented catastrophe and WWIII.
With the onset of the New Year, spirits will be high and optimism in good supply.
Let’s hope that these men and women who claim to be the consecrated spokespersons for the American people, who as a result of being elected to the highest political offices in the land probably have little doubt that they are America’s best equipped to steer the country on a constructive course, will finally live up to the high opinions they have of themselves.
Let’s hope we see some real leadership.
It’s been way too long.
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