Super? Leadership

As our economy continues to struggle, the nonstop artillery fire between Republicans and Democrats obscures all efforts at peace, quiet, and common sense. Like a lot of people these days I have concerns for where we may be headed: The loss of reserves to fund Social Security, the approaching perfect storm of aging Americans, healthcare costs and inequities, the loss of meaningful employment. Each of these is a huge issue and each carries the potential for dire consequences.

Of our catalog of troubles the one issue I fear most is the loss of public minded leadership.  It seems more and more the elected are concerned only with staying elected. As ever, the way to remain that way is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals and do their bidding. This is nothing new, it's democracy. The part I fear, however, is the lack of decisions being made with the lessons of history in hand and the absence of decisions made with the intent of building from the social bottom up.  Decisions intended to procure a safe and sustainable earth and society seem to have little stock and less voice with many contemporary leaders. At a table where we need healthful foods and a well balanced diet our leadership is consumed with the fight over who gets the most candy and how do we get more.  Much of American leadership has become rude, bloated and self-absorbed—like much of the American public.

I saw a series of conservative responses to the Congressional super committees’ refusal to come up with a plan to reduce the deficit. The speakers were warning that, although the Republican members had done a good job resisting the Democrats desire to raise taxes, if they didn’t hold to the course of reduced taxes, less government, and reduced spending they would not get re-elected:

   “I will make this prediction now: If Republicans compromise with any tax increases, they will suffer the same fate. They will be out next November.

Today, ForAmerica joins with Americans for Prosperity, Citizens United, Family Research Council and Tea Party Patriots to again issue a stern warning our elected representatives: Create a budget that cuts spending, cuts the deficit and cuts the debt. Do not raise taxes. Do it now.” L. Brent Bozell III, Chairman, ForAmerica.

The U.S. political machine is well aware of American greed at large and uses this to advantage. As long as there is a steady diet for too much, our elected leadership will be safe. As long as the “haves” continue to want more the agenda can continue to focus on creating wealth rather than reducing poverty and need. 

I’m among the first to admit our country is polluted with the stench of entitlement and infected by an attitude of dependent helplessness. Nonetheless, there is a very large and very rapidly growing population of people in need of healthcare, food and shelter. These aren’t welfare bums driving Mercedes. A great many of these are our parents, grandparents, and others of their generation, people who have seen their retirement investments evaporate in the current economy. Others are people who have seen their jobs exported overseas under the banner of corporate stimulus/economic growth. Can someone tell me how we meet the needs of this growing population of people in need, many of whom have paid their dues, many of whom have spent a lifetime working toward a secure retirement, how do we provide by reducing revenues and cutting services? Cutting government waste is a critical step but it is not a free pass to ignoring our civic responsibilities to care for one another and provide basic services. Services cost money. There is nothing about the current “tax reform” movement that leads me to believe any individual, group, or corporation is going to step in and fill the void in lost services…. unless there’s another buck to be made. Genius! Let’s “privatise” social welfare.  It works so very well with health insurance.