I really want this posting to be positive. Maybe even
uplifting. To be that I will need to write about leadership being shown in our
midst as we lead up to the 2016 elections. Leadership: the forming of ideas for
a nation to focus on; asking others to think on similar themes and resonate a
general agreement on them. Leadership in which a public person intentionally
asks other citizens to join an effort to fix a major problem, and to support
the common good in such matters.
I know I can report that a lot of leadership has been
attempted in the past several years. For example, we have been asked to open
our minds and hearts in matters dealing with our fellow citizens who are gay. A
lot of progress was gained on this issue in the public’s mind in recent years.
Not all agree with these happenings, but, the Supreme Court advanced gay rights via marriage equality;
congress is even discussing broadening civil rights for gay people that build
on the marriage equality decision.
Restoration of US foreign relations with Cuba
The fight to keep abortion
rights might be cooling off. The
Republican party is attempting to revamp its policy stance to conform more with
the mainstream thinking of the public. Women’s rights include having a say in
what happens to their bodies – to get pregnant or not, to get pregnant and keep
the baby or not, and whether to complete the pregnancy or not. The public
generally does not believe these matters are appropriate for government
interference or policy. That’s a very new wrinkle in this public debate. Plenty
of people still are ready for a bitter fight, but most are not. Perhaps the
battle is finally over? Let us see what transpires!
Boy Scouts of America
have lost much public favor in recent years as they have pig pigheadedly fought
against gay rights. They have felt that being gay is synonymous with
pedophilia. Thus they have first claimed no gay person could be a member of the
Boy Scouts. They changed that policy. But they did retain the policy that no
gay adult could be associated with the BSA. They have recently decided to drop
that policy. Now gay scout leaders will be welcome. Good thing; some scouts grew up, matured, realized
they were gay, and remained in the scouting movement without doing it any
injury. When fully mature, they wanted to remain as a Scout leader. Once denied
now they will be welcomed to remain within the fold of the BSA. An inclusive,
American organization with deep and old roots. This is a good and refreshing
change.
Inclusivity of the
military has expanded to accept women, gays, and minorities. Dealing with
religious diversity as well has been a challenge for the military but they are
doing it. Not automatically but with forethought and leadership coaxing the
rank and file toward a fully diverse military. A difficult task but a rewarding
one. Think of it. A military of, for and by the people in all of their diverse
backgrounds! That’s an ideal worth fighting for! And very American as well.
Equal access to health
care and health insurance is now the law of the land. At long last. There
are many who fight this ideal, but they have consistently lost that battle.
They are still fighting it but again and again the courts and the public have
said Obamacare is for real and should stay. Now to get on with the task of
tweaking it to make it stronger and more effective.
Education issues continue to take front and center stage in
public discussion. Much is still broken in public education. There is much we
can do to improve its effectiveness. It will take leadership at
every level of government and education to make this happen. We are a long way
from meeting the needs of every student. I have confidence that we will
eventually succeed in this mission. But leadership remains in chaos. So many
players; so many voices. Is there any wonder why the problems go unaddressed? Not fixing this problem wastes valuable potential of untold numbers of kids.
If we focus on the big picture it might help with such
difficult decisions. After all, the big picture holds the hope of the future
for us. When we gaze upon it so many small details fade away.
You know, with exploration of space we see the universe with
fresh eyes. A lot of hubbub was heard the other day when scientists spotted a
planet in another galaxy that appears to
be very much like Earth. So if Earth suffers fatal problems (air, water, soil
pollution) we could relocate to another planet. But hold on! What makes us
think the people of the other planet would welcome us? Might we have to conquer
them first or at least be willing to do so? And who is to say they have room
for us there? Perhaps we ought to save
our own planet and remain in place? Seems we should do this anyway?
Leadership looks deep into the future and beholds what ought
to be. And then begins preparations to make it happen. For the rest of us it is
follow or fight. All too often the fight gets the vote. Why are we so stubborn
and fail to look at the promise of other options?
Each of us has to answer that question for ourselves. Time
will tell if enough of us support the future and trust one another. That’s what
it comes down to, isn’t it? Trust?
July 28, 2015
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