In election season, there is a lot of confusing messaging and as citizens, we are left trying to figure out where to go with our country's leadership next.
The rhetoric is heating up as each side tries to outdo the other on why they are right and the other side is wrong on the issues and who will be better at leading us into the future.
- But where is the negotiation, balance, compromise, and win-win for all the people?
Then of course, there is the blame game that seems to go on too, with politicians saying things aren't getting done because of partisanship or this administration or that's mistakes--this is the finger-pointing.
- What ever happened to the buck stops here?
Related, we have others that won't even admit what they've said or where they stand on the issues--first, they may just try to deny it and say they never said it, and perhaps later, they admit they said it, but they didn't mean it quite that way--like, it's a sound bit taken out of context.
- Is this conviction or just playing to the audience?
Finally, what are candidates even trying to sell us when they are electioneering--slogans, potshots, sleight-of-hands, political publicists or genuine direction for how to make this country great.
- Is it a person, a party, or a platform that we are even voting for and how does race, ethnicity, sex, religion and so forth factor in to the votes?
Some commentators, like Peggy Noonan, have rightfully said (Wall Street Journal, 18-19 June 2012) that candidates must find a theme that people can sensibly grasp unto--something that gives a "sense of meaning" for their run.
Ultimately, we need to know who the candidates are as human beings--what is in their soul--what do they really think--and most important, what will they actually do, if they have the power.
A few weeks ago the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial called "Four Words that Moved The World: 'Tear Down This Wall'"--those where the words uttered by then President Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987 in a speech in front of the Berlin Wall.
Reagan told his deputy chief of staff that even though some would be mad at him for saying it, "it's the right thing to do."
Those six words are even more powerful than the four in his speech, because, especially as a leader, doing--not just saying--the right thing, is everything!
The hard part, as voters, is figuring out who will do what the right thing when they are called on.
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Randy Robertson)
It's The Right Thing To Do