Our Role as Leaders and Citizens

Let me first say that I get angry when I watch the news. A LOT.

And that anger is usually directed at those in power - why? Because I have an assumption (a perfect assumption, but one that doesn't seem accurate) that people in power are better than we are.

What does better mean? It means that they are more willing and able to put aside a petty disagreement for the greater good.  It means that nary a one should say "it's the Democrats' fault" or "it's the Republicans' fault."

Every single one SHOULD say "it's my fault." Every. Single. Time.

And in my view, if you don't achieve, let's say 80% of your campaign promises...you can't be re-elected.  When I worked for a Bank, if what I told my boss was going to happen occurred at the success rate of a politician, I would have been fired within a year.  I think that's true for most jobs.  Why is it so different for elected officials?

Now here's the painful part.  That's our fault.  The Citizens'.  We're far too lazy to hold our elected officials accountable in a real way.  Instead, we complain and get mad at each other: "Did you hear John next door is a Republican?" Really?  If either party actually kept their promises, we'd be living in a Utopia.  

Given we agree our leaders aren't performing, what do we do about it?

We find people who do.  We clean house in the next election. And then again. And then again. And again until someone/something hits 80%.  Then, we keep him/her/they/it. And keep cleaning.