What is this all about?

So, what is this blog all about?

Well, I am convinced that what we lack in this country, from a political perspective, is not a collective lack of new ideas or ability, but a lack of individual leadership, depth of understanding, and critical thinking skills.

I don't believe that our Founding Fathers ever conceived of people who would seek to be politicians by profession. Political science as a university major? Methinks not. To them, the consummate politician and leader is one that comes from the general public, bringing with them the skills and experience they obtained while toiling like other Americans. These men and women should see the call to service as a role to be temporarily filled, not a profession to be sought. They should want to serve and then return to the fold. This kind of perspective brings an understanding of the real concerns, the real pains, that must be addressed. I think the Founding Fathers basic concept of Democracy and the system of Checks & Balances was predicated on the wish to structurally limit political power in order to promote constant change in leadership so our system of government could effectively deal with the only constant in the world of politics and society: change.

Today's politicians and those that support them seem to be really good at only one thing: politics. The wonks and politicians they support that make up today's supposed leadership have become experts at packaging a message and winning elections. Bush won not because of the strength of his ideas, HE had none, but on the strength of his charisma, charm and Karl Roves extensive research into the disparate groups that made up the right side of the political equation and his strategy to pull them together via divisive propoganda. This, combined with the use of former telephone marketing, high pressure salesmen turned political communicators, and a relentless appeal to emotion, allowed Bush et al to do the one thing they were actually qualified to do: win an election. It's no surprise that they have fallen back to, "We won this election so stop whining." as the reality is that they have nothing to offer past the election win itself. No original ideas, no leadership, no follow-through; just empty language leftover from their political campaigns.

Virtually every platform and policy that has come forth from this administration and the right in general is nothing more than the product of "Think Tanks" spread geogrphically, but clustered around a very specific and selfish ideology: "Me, Mine & the Bottom Line". You can try to rationalize it any way you'd like, but the result is the same. Tax policy comes from a cabal of rich people trying to protect their wealth; Social Security Reform comes from interest groups, Wall Street financiers, and free marketeers that want to destroy the "New Deal" because it has embarrassed them since its inception; foreign policy comes straight from the Neo-Con trough of chest-thumpers, none of whom have ever served anything but themselves and wear the blood of others as badges of American honor and power. Bush isn't a leader, he is a charming (in a Frat President sort of way) figure head who is smart enough to do what he is told and surround himself with "Yes" men and women who value loyalty over integrity.

What has become painfully clear is that the "Think Tank" ideas are steeped in ideology, branded in faith, and sold by slick, former telephone marketers who care nothing for the results of their work except for the success of the sale itself. Unfortunately, it's all fashion, with no function - save for the small group it's meant to benefit. The Emperor truly has no clothes. What we need is leadership that is not concerned with what the leader thinks is right, but is concerned with identifying the real pain within America and working with the best minds this country has to offer to develop and implement solutions that benefit the most people possible.

Unfortunately, we have traded one set of "elitist" for another. The only difference is that the current right-leaning elitists say, "What's good for me, can be good for you.", while those they replaced said, "I know what's good for the people and it will be good for all." While both extremes are faulty, at least one looks beyond the self in attempt to do what is right for the most people possible. So, which side should one err on in the absence of true guidance? The answer is the difference between selfishness and selflessness.

It's this dichotomy of thought and approach that is the true difference between the left and right in this country. And, it is the realization that neither extreme provides the best answers that drives me to look squarely at the middle way. As in most things in life, the answer to national problems is usually found in a mixture of approaches that combine both private and public good. While it's nearly impossible to meet all of the needs of both the individual and the public, what is clear is that something that defers to what is best for the public as a whole well invariably be good for all, while that which is good for a small minority is rarely good for all; no matter how one tries to make it possible for the majority to make it into this "select group" or how much "trickling down" takes place.

This, in a nutshell is the basis of my entire political philosophy. A true leader strives for that which benefits the most at the expense of the least. A leader is not concerned in wealth and power or rewarding those that contribute to such things. A leader is concerned with doing what is right and with what benefits all of those he or she must lead. Jesus preached this compassion and leadership and the uniqueness of the Christian faith is the realization that this compassion must be practice personally in order for it to be publicly instituted. Jesus would never rely on the benevolence of the rich to take care of the laboring poor. A classless society isn't a matter of wealth, but a matter of power vested in the common man and the idea of justice for all, regardless of the class structure created by wealth. A truly classless society realizes the importance of stability as much as wealth and that without one, the other cannot exist.

What is key to remember and understand is that it is a simple difference between an ideology of selfishness and selflessness. While collectively humans cannot survive on either fringe, they can thrive in the middle. It's this middle that must be explored and understood in order for anyone to truly move this country forward. In order to make the middle a reality it will take knowledge and understanding by all - and that requires rigor in our studies, clarity in our communications, and above all, patience in our approach.

It's only our own ignorance and selfishness that divides us.

Benevolence is not the same thing as compassion. Power is not an excuse to do what you think is right, it's an opportunity to ensure that the right thing is done. Wealth is not an escape from reality or justice, it's a reward for work and talent and an opportunity to contribute to the greater good. Knowledge is not something to be maligned, but something to be sought and constantly challenged and expanded. Faith is not critical thinking, and merely believing in something strongly does not make it so. Hope is not a planning tool. Ideological belief is not empirical evidence. Emotion is not intellect.

This is what this Blog will be about. Ideas from and for the common man. Ideas developed with reason, not faith, deference to the many instead of the few, and constantly shaped via the lens of true leadership.

If you cannot understand this concept or you feel such an approach is a threat to you, then don't vote for me.