We hardly recover from the shock of one political leader’s reckless and immoral behavior before the revelation of another floods the media. In recent months, first there was former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Then it was former presidential candidate, John Edwards. Now, it is Congressman Anthony Wiener. Who is next?
Before this recent barrage of political scandal, many other elected officials resigned or left office following the revelation of personal indiscretions. It is becoming commonplace that voters are faced with choosing between candidates who either, acknowledged illegal drug use, infidelity, and other untoward behavior, or who refuse to come clean about rumors regarding such behavior.
Clearly, it is not a phenomenon just among American political leaders. Scandal is playing out on the global stage as well.
What do we make of it? Is it a sign of the times? Is it a paradigm shift in our political mores and culture? Is the rebellious behavior by many during the sixties and seventies, and the breakdown of traditional values finally coming home to roost on the public leadership stage? Does it mean we need to change our lofty and laudable expectations of those we trust to lead? Just what does it all mean?
What should be the character and quality of public leaders — should we care about the public vs. the private person?
These are the questions. The answers and the course we take, or accept, will have far reaching implications and lasting impact.
One very important consequence we need to consider is: What messages are we sending our children, the leaders of tomorrow? Are they turned off by what they see? Or, are they realizing how great the need is for good men and women at all levels of government? Men and women with strong values, good character, and a true desire to devote their talent and energy toward those areas that impact public policy and people’s lives — men and women who have no problems with being honest and accountable for their behavior, mistakes and all.
Hopefully.
Let us all hope that the latter is true, and the entire shameful and irresponsible behavior by many political leaders will not leave our pool of political talent bankrupt. Public leadership and the political process are much too important to suffer permanent injury.
Politics, public policy, and the people we elect to enforce our government determine the quality of our lives — where we live, how we live, where our children go to school, what money is left from our pay check to improve our standard of living, as well as the quality and bacteria-free food we put on our tables for our loved ones to eat. If we just stop to think about it, we feel the decisions made by politicians every day at every level of government throughout our daily lives. There are few or no exceptions.
But with elected officials and candidates seemingly besieged by questions of poor character or poor judgement dominating the political stage on all levels, we must not let our future leaders of tomorrow be left with a negative view or bad taste in their mouths about the governing institutions themselves. We need to emphasize that the principles of government that define America are greater than any one or a few individuals. We must remind them on every turn about the great system of government that we have in this country, albeit imperfect.
This country withstood the ugliness and divisiveness of slavery. It withstood wars. It withstood a depression, many economic recessions, and other crises of various sizes. And yes, it has withstood philandering and dishonest presidents, senators, representatives, and others put in visible and powerful leadership positions. While we have been disappointed, suffered national and international embarrassment, we are still strong as a nation.
Perhaps one of the best things for us to do as we face the question (if not an impending crisis) of what constitutes good leadership and good character is to maintain an open and continuous dialogue — with our children, our colleagues, and with our neighbors. Encourage a conversation to air issues and put everything into the proper perspective — help people resolve conflicting feelings that makes them cynical or avoid public life.
I trust that in our classrooms, at every opportunity, we call upon the great philosophers and leaders in classic and recent history for guidance and as examples to follow. Politics still mean we have to have those deliberations, and active, sometimes vigorous, and lively discussions, among citizens who diligently search to determine and promote the greatest good for the greatest number with each policy decision made.
For this country to continue to be great, it will take us all to remain engaged, participating at all levels in whatever way we can to keep our government strong. Leaders, who are morally and ethically strong, providing leadership in upholding what is good about America, still represent the heart and soul of politics.
Let us keep these thoughts in mind as we watch the candidates and vote in the elections in 2012. It is not too early.