Ego Trump

Democracy is all about the people of a nation speaking openly among themselves to learn what matters most to them, who articulates the issues best, and who is likely the best leader among all those voices. It is a messy process. Many voices. Many personalities. Different styles of interaction. Each jostling for position and visibility.

Like a group photo at a reunion, it is difficult to pick out each person, see each individual. Smashed together, some are hidden behind others or out of focus and indistinguishable.

Getting a clear picture of each person is tricky. Even more so their individual voice. And message.

Soon the jostling for visibility becomes shrill, even insistent. Comparison of message becomes hyped and too detailed for common consumption. Understanding is clouded. Personality is then pressed forward as distinguishing feature. A studied smile, posed glance and jaunty quip becomes the face of the candidate.

Competition is not just for ideas; nor clarity of thought. No, it is for likeability, attractiveness and much more.

The mosh pit of politics in a democracy is not neat. How then does the body politic choose the best among many? How does a political party present a coherent message for serious thought and debate among voters. How will voters come to consensus, especially among so many nuanced, competing messages?

Tumbling for victory involves making yourself look good among many. Candidates tout their strengths over the others. Ego becomes a badge, a brand. Until it missteps toward ugly caricature. Ego misplayed becomes a candidate’s death sentence.

Ego trumps the candidate.

Today Democrat candidates for president in 2020 are plentiful. Some new faces, some old. New to the current lineup is Bernie Sanders. An old hand, a previous candidate, and a voluble spout of ideology. He continues to seek the presidency in spite of his age of 76. He would be 78 when inaugurated should he win. For me that is a fatal age. Too old to be certain of longevity to complete a term, let alone two terms. The instability of that happening creates nightmare images for the nation. I avoid his candidacy. Not his message. Much of what he says contains truth and value. Just not all of it.

And that begs a few good questions: first, how do we blend good ideas into one holistic message to test for consensus? Second, how do we determine the best leadership skills among many candidates? Third, can we encourage team play among the candidates so the best rises to the top with the support of all the others?  Fourth, how do we heal the divisions among the candidates to support the best mix of ideas and solutions for the body politic?

Ego is needed if a strong candidate is to convince us he or she is the best of the pack. But ego destroys teamwork. Bernie proved that in 2015 and 2016. He played his part too well; he could not decompress and become the team player needed at the time. healing among his supporters to the larger cause was not evident. The vote was fractured and the nation has been saddled with not the best president.

Democracy is messy. Democracy does work. But it can be manipulated, too. To our detriment.

I like Bernie’s message in many aspects. I don’t agree with it all, or in its broad sweep to fix everything. Bits and pieces of it in small doses can be very helpful in the work ahead. Not a wholesale acceptance of all, but some. I’d much rather he work with others to mentor and shape a successful campaign of a younger person. We need new blood. We need fresh faces and thinking. We need more women and people of diversity, too. Those are the components of democracy.

Today, ego plays too large a part. It trumps the system. Because of that Trump has trumped our system of governance. It does not look good or work well.

To gain a better outcome, dump the ego and look for a strong team to lead us forward.

February 20, 2019