Integrity Matters
January 19, 2008
Political Rhetoric and Promises Fulfilled?
Question: (E-327)
My current outlook is somber: $4.00 per gallon of gasoline, costly and cumbersome health care, poisoned political environments, across the nation, matched by self-serving corporate vultures, plundering revenues for themselves. What can be done? Do you see any hope on the horizon?
Response:
Yes, and the hope starts at the top. Presidential elections in the United States of America provide an opportunity, every four years, to openly ask leaders to resurrect hope. The 2008 campaign should not become another tedious and repetitive joke perpetrated on a naïve public. Market-tested clichés need to be replaced by a refreshing openness that transforms standard political rhetoric into substantive, integrity-centered promises – that will be fulfilled, in timely ways.
Just as the tradition of New Year’s resolutions is an opportunity to “start with a clean slate” – with the desire to do better, so too is the process of choosing a President. With real estate prices declining nationally and the U.S. dollar in an apparent free-fall globally, the need is now for inspirational and compelling leadership.
Hope is a belief in a positive outcome even when there is evidence to the contrary. Hope implies perseverance, a persistent determination to adhere to a course of action, even in the face of adversity. Leaders owe legitimate hope to those they commit to serve. Hope starts with parental responsibilities to children; employers for employees, public and spiritual officials for constituents; and, yes, friends for friends and neighbors for neighbors. Hope is an emotion; whereas optimism is a conclusion reached through a deliberate thought pattern that leads to a positive attitude. Hope is inspired confidence and galvanizes commitment and action. Should voters settle for less in their leaders?
The next President of the United States needs to embody the magnetic hope that enables individuals, groups, communities and even nations to aspire and achieve – in dramatic and positive ways. Transformational leaders will see possibilities, even those not yet visible to many, and find the energizing framework to lift followers to a higher level.
In November, 2008, the 44th President of the United States of America must:
- see the positive possibilities of what can be
- clarify obstacles - honestly
- articulate the dream - concretely
- communicate a believable strategy
- convince an eager nation to say: “We can do it.”
- operate above partisan divisiveness
- fuel the drive for learning, quality and service
Our children and grandchildren, along with citizens around the world, are looking to us – the voters in the United States – to select the right President; the person who graciously embodies integrity, expressing that value with legitimate, responsible and inspirational – hope. Democracy depends upon an involved electorate – so, please - vote!
