BALANCING HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICS: MIA (Missing in Action) - Leadership in Washington

Balancing Healthcare, Public Policy and Politics with Linda De Seife

Here are some headlines that I read over the last few weeks that have inspired this month’s column:

• “Snow Adds to the Political Drift”
• “Why Washington Is Frozen”
• “America’s Candor Gap”
• “A Year Later, Where did the Hopes for Obama Go?”
• “No Deficit of Cynicism”
• “Stimulus Created Jobs, But No Real Optimism”
• “Debt Ills, Rate Plan Knock U.S. Stocks”
• “Fudging Jobless Statistics”
• “Reid Puts His Bill Before Bipartisanship”
• “White House May Abandon Civilian 9/11 Trial”
• “Economic Data Stirs Fears”
• “America’s Greek Tragedy – Greece’s Crisis Holds Warning for Us”

Now this is quite a list, and I could go on, but you probably get the idea. Is it any wonder that Americans are angry? Is it any wonder that, although technically the economy is in recovery, Americans don’t feel it, and so are not spending on houses, cars, or anything else other than the necessities? Is it any wonder that fear and uncertainty are paralyzing our country and holding back the recovery?

One day the headlines say things are getting better; the next day they’re not. One day we’re trying terrorists in civilian trials in New York City, and the next we’re not sure. One day we need a new agency to study global warming; the next day Florida is freezing, and Washington is literally buried in snow. (Although figuratively it’s been feeding us a snow job for years; that’s the problem!)

America is not working, in more ways than one.

Then we have a State of the Union address that is nothing more than a laundry list of legislative initiatives and a scolding of the Congress, Republicans, the previous Administration, and even of the American people by a President who is above it all, blames everyone else, and takes no responsibility for his actions, or inactions, over the last year.

Where is the clear direction, strategy and transparency that was promised? All we’ve gotten for the past year is drift -- from one issue to the next and back again. Tactics, tactics, tactics! Talk, talk, talk!

Now the Democrats are trying to say, and the media has picked up on it, that America is ungovernable. This is nonsense. What America lacks is leadership -- people who know what it takes to make the system work. We have an inexperienced President who, to use a business analogy, instead of being the CEO, is behaving like a functional vice president or department head.

The concept of leadership is very complex. There are many definitions, but there are some common traits of leadership. Some of these are: defining a vision and translating it into reality; trustworthiness; taking responsibility for your actions; inspiring confidence. The management guru, Peter Drucker, has said that “effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”

One of President Obama’s problems is that during the campaign he sounded like a leader, but, now after the campaign is over, he has not delivered. He seemed to have the attributes, but there have been no results.

The famous psychologist Carl Jung declared, “The true leader is always led.” Bill Clinton realized this after the 1994 elections and worked with the new Republican majority to reform the welfare system and end the era of big government. Obama, to the contrary, refuses to get the message. So it is likely, that he will get more messages in November. We’ll see if he gets it this time.

And the Congress is no better. The long time Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, who was legendary for arm-twisting and jaw-boning believed, “You cannot be a leader and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow too.” Today’s so-called Congressional leaders find it easier to buy votes than to truly negotiate the issues by listening to their members and their constituents.

We all know that another key to leadership is trust, but as I look at Washington, where is the trust? Democrats don’t trust Republicans, and Republicans don’t trust Democrats. The people don’t trust the government, and the government doesn’t trust the people.

The President’s words say one thing, and he does another. Then he called a health care summit, but even before the event, he began posturing to paint the Republicans as obstructionists if they don’t just go along. During the event, he again became the lecturing professor. So, Republicans are right to be suspicious of his motives. Have we forgotten the concept of the loyal opposition? Their role is not to just go along; their role is to oppose that which they do not believe in.

Where are the adults in our country today? It’s not the President, much as he tries to play that role by chastising others. It’s certainly not the Congress. The adults, who are trying to lead their leaders and who understand the challenges we face, are the American people. But we can’t do it alone, especially when paralyzed by the indecision and lack of strategy and vision in Washington. We need to feel confident that our country has direction that we can support. Those who voted for Obama thought that’s what they would get, but they were mistaken.

What we have is paralysis, driven by a lack of strategic direction, confidence and optimism, which could tip us back into recession, or, at the very least, is delaying a strong and sustained recovery.

We need leaders, like Ronald Reagan, who had a vision for America and confidence in the people to make that vision a reality. We need leaders with courage, who fulfill their vision based on their passion, not their position. We need leaders who raise people’s aspirations and energize them to achieve great things.

America is not ungovernable, and government is not broken. America lacks leaders who know how to govern, who respect their constituents, and who can build consensus and work through issues for the good of the whole, the way the Founders intended.

What are your thoughts on the subject?


Quote of the Month

“All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing.”
-- Moliere

For more information, please visit Linda's TNNW Bio

---

THIS ARTICLE--THIS AUTHOR--YOUR FEEDBACK

(1) If you would like to post a comment on this article for this author and for other readers to see, or if you would like to read the comments which have been posted by others, simply scroll down to the very bottom of this article (where it says "Posted by...") and click on the small text hyperlink that says "comments": a pop-up window will open which shows all of the comments posted by others. At the end of the other posts, there is a textbox for you to post your own comment.
(2) If you would prefer to contact the author in confidence, or to write at greater length regarding reciprocal links, special projects or professional issues, simply click on the button in this box labeled "CONTACT AUTHOR," and a pop-up form will magically appear for your use. It even allows you to include web and blog urls, downloads and attachments of all sorts.
(3) If you have not yet become a Member of THE NATIONAL NETWORKER COMPANIES (there is no charge), you should do that using the buttons below. Click on FREE NEWSLETTER button to start the process; then choose either the RSS Feed or the Daily Email delivery option.

---

*Follow TNNW on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TNNW_BUZZWORKS
*Published by TNNWC. All rights reserved.*Join our GICBC and receive Your TNNW Newsletter and THE BLUE TUESDAY REPORT! - Click HERE
The National Networker Companies

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

BALANCING HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICS: MIA (Missing in Action) - Leadership in Washington

Balance in an Unsteady World

By Sian Lindemann
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Very rarely do I react to the news, ie World News Tonight, MSN, ABC or others, as I believe media today is inflated, reactionary and grossly sensationalized. I am not aware of how, you, our readers react to this kind of content, but in response to our beloved (and this is sincerely “tongue in cheek”), “leader” George Bush, I have had many thoughts throughout the evening and morning, as we embark on a very dangerous road….based on decisions being made FOR the American people today.

Today I have an appreciation for the clarity and genuine results procured by those previously in office, Bill Clinton.

(Now I admit I was very disturbed by his past involvement with sexual misconduct, and quite honestly, I could care less what kind of agreements he has in place with his wife.)

If Hilary tolerates this kind of behavior from her husband, that is completely and solely her choice…..I just wish he had stated the truth about it..

I could care less how he chooses to “get off,” but at least be willing to tell the truth, in reference to it. I believe he and WE learned a lot from that scenario…We still love him, and appreciate his current activities as it relates to the environment and “clean energy” development, regardless of his temporary imperfections, of the past.….)

The good news with the selection of those that we have to choose from, for our political future, as to who is going to define our leadership over the next 4 years, I think it is deeply essential for all of us to recognize..

If you don’t know anything about Entrepreneurialism, its time to learn;

If you don’t make enough money to cover your bills, basic necessities and food, its time to add a new division to your activities, that becomes a revenue producing activity. You can cross over into your social agenda to include this option, and make it FUN, but choose to include a new and additional source of income to yourself….( At this time I am suggesting FOOD, Check out http://www.sunrider.com/)food-related industries, and food products that are nourishing, and enable good health) And I strongly suggest that the business in this arena that you might choose not be limited to sales in the United States……as your mass market of middle to low income families will have just dried up…..as of tomorrow;

Take responsibility for your own life;

Eat crow if necessary. I have spent many of the last years engaged in a business that provides service to the elite, Home Care Services, cleaning, landscaping, and many other add on services….The truth be known, I never spent one minute in search of my next meal, coffee, or other basics while engaged in that industry. And I’ve been more marginalized this last year and a half since I left that industry….hmm? The only issue in the way of reconstructing that company is my EGO…and there is not much of that left here now…George Bush just took care of that for me…

Thoughts of a second Great Depression are not an option for ….Resiliency, tenacity and a willingness to take “massive” action are now essential for each and every one of us;

I love art and will continue to promote, cultivate and develop artists, but I am assured that I will be including additional “outside” revenue, as one cannot EAT a painting and although I am the first to acknowledge the need for Food for the Soul, I believe that real FOOD will be the first priority;

I’ve already let go of the luxury of owning and operating a vehicle, and as a demonstration of my roots, will be trading my car for the delightful consideration of walking or “horseback,” or horse – drawn carriage. It will certainly take longer, but giving up the pleasure of paying $5.00 a gallon for gas is now past tense;

Continuing my cultivation, understanding, and appreciation of “other” cultures..ie China looks pretty good as does adventure into the Middle East, i.e., Dubai.

I think it timely, and of valid consideration to think on the topics presented here today. I know that it deviates from the topic of HOW to succeed in the arts, but as “creatives” or “intuitives,” it is essential to really listen to what you can do, personally to apply those skills in what may be a very trying future, for us as a country, the USA, subject to our current political structure. Fascinating to discover that all companies given to George Bush to run, were “run” into the ground. Seems the USA is now in that line up.

Lastly I wish to share a great little analogy to what I ask of you today…to dig deep, to allow your intuition to be enabled, and to “listen” for opportunities that might bypass the masses…

Brooks Anderson, another of my clients, and extremely fine landscape painter, just shared with me a great story from the time of the Great Depression.

One man while lined up in what seemed an endless line of those seeking employment, the man was distracted by a tapping sound he heard.

It just so happened that this man was privy to the knowledge of “morse code”

The message was, “If you can hear this message, approach Door # 3 which the man subsequently did. He found employment immediately as an interpretor of Morse Code was thus, employed.

As always, listen for opportunities, and TAKE immediate action. It may well serve your future in ways you could not have imagined.Thank you for allowing me my self indulgence today, and I wish you continued success, now and always.

Sian Lindemann

October 2008

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

Balance in an Unsteady World