Why Our Politicians Can't Lead

Here we are, in an election year, facing another round of political sparring from Republicans and Democrats. While the sparring may be interesting or even entertaining to watch, does it really accomplish anything? In my mind, all it does it dull the senses of the voters, who eventually get tired of watching and go back to the daily grind of their lives.

I am dismayed and saddened by the fact that there really is no such thing as intelligent political debate anymore. There are jabs and puns and tattle-tail stories of improprieties by one party or another, but very few politicians these days really ever stop to address the real concerns and issues that affect the general population. Why is that? Because we have become a population of people who are easily offended. We have let political correctness become the rule of law, thereby rendering our politicians ineffective at communicating what they really feel. We make it impossible for them to contribute well thought-out plans and ideas to help us succeed in this country of plenty.

It's easy for us to blame the politicians, to besmirch them and characterize them as "snake oil" salesmen who profit from every scheme they come up with. There is some truth to this characterization for particular politicians. But blaming them for poor behavior doesn't really address the real issue...which is that we created the monster!! Our leaders have become what we allowed them to become. We have become so worried about what these politicians say and so fixated with catching the "enemy" in a compromising position that we have created the ineffective leaders about whom we complain! How can they lead when they constantly have to concern themselves with the fact that every word from their mouths, every handshake, every action, will be scrutinized? Under such intense analysis, one becomes afraid to move at all, for fear of a scathing reprisal and complete public humiliation. So what happens? Nobody moves! Nobody does anything of real worth or value, because they are afraid to take the hit to their public image! They might "offend" one of their constituents. Or worse, one of their enemies!

Who are the enemies? They are the watchdog groups and politicians who are willing to use manipulation and force to ensure they keep their high standing, all the while proclaiming to be servants of the people. We all know them, they are the Bullies of the political world.

Seriously, people...isn't this like watching a bunch of 6th graders on the playground? There are the Good Kids, who try to do the right thing. Then there are the Bullies, the kids who have no self-worth. They use fear and manipulation to punish the Good Kids, who contribute positively to the well-being of the school, and through a false sense of power, the Bullies try to control the school yard. The Non-Confrontational kids, who sit and watch and do nothing, wait to see which side will win out. It's a familiar scene, one which plays out time and time again, throughout school yards across the world. Am I the only person who finds it disturbing that, as a body of people, we have been reduced to a schoolyard mentality when it comes to how our country functions?

I am tired of hearing voters whine and complain about ineffective leaders and politicians. They have become ineffective because we, the American Public, allowed it to happen. We allowed it by being so concerned about political correctness that it has taken us, and our politicians, as prisoners. We allowed it by standing on the sidelines, waiting to see who will win...The Good Kids or the Bullies. If we don't choose sides, we can't really complain when the there is nobody left to fight the good fight. Regardless of one's political affiliation, it is incumbent upon us as citizens of a Free Nation to do our utmost to protect and uphold our freedoms. This cannot and will not be done by holding our politicians or each other hostage, by proclaiming one is racist or gay or intolerant because his or her attempts to correct social ills may have hurt another's feelings. Sometimes the truth hurts and we as a nation have got to grow up and accept that reality. Then we need to start holding politicians accountable - properly - by voting for those who have a proven record of serving the public interest, without trying to manipulate the rule of law or the Constitution. Only then will we begin to see a rise in politicians and leaders of good moral value and character. Why? Because we will demand it from them properly - through support and positive messages, rather than by beating them into submission with threats and manipulation.

Bullying never works. That's how we became the United States, remember? The oppressive king we ran from? The Revolutionary War? Something to think about as you're listening to the candidates the next few months.