I’m currently reading “Stand for Something: The Battle for America’s Soul” by John Kasich, former U.S. Congressman and host of Fox News’ “Heartland.” I didn’t think too much about him because his district was near Columbus, but I’m finding that he probably was one of our better politicians. He did not care what side of the aisle you were on, if you had similar ideas for improving something, he’d work with you.
Kasich refers to the state of our current political upheaval as a possible lack of leadership and that we need strong leaders who will put the country first and their party second. I’d have to agree with that. Everyone is so wrapped up in their political identity and who can hold the most power, that they are forgetting why they are in Washington and who got them there! Kasich’s idea to improve this situation is common sense really, but politicians are so busy playing their games and talking the talk, they forget to actually walk the walk.
Good politics shouldn’t be about us or them. It shouldn’t be about winning or losing. Good politics should be about doing. If you win, that’s great. If you lose, that’s okay, too, as long as you’ve worked tirelessly for your ideas and your ideals. As long as you’ve done something – because here again, the accomplishment is in the doing. It’s in the effort, the taking care. Talk to a successful businessperson and he or she will tell you their version of the same thing. They’ll tell you they’re not searching for profits, but for excellence. Build the best widget, design the best system, offer the best customer service and the profit will come. Run the tightest ship and you’re less likely to spring a leak. In politics, if you’re always searching for votes you’re a panderer. Ultimately, you get the votes because you stand for something. In business, if you’re always searching for excellence you’re an industry leader and it’s clear to all what it is you stand for: quality, achievement, value. Ultimately, you get the business because you’ve earned it.
I was raised with strong values and a good work ethic and I can’t believe I was the only one. I’m sure that there are many of us out there who were raised this way and to see our country turned upside-down by greed, narcissism and lack of morals is so disheartening. We need to go back to what’s right, to what’s solid, to what’s real. Kasich puts the qualities our politicians need and what we all should be doing in this way:
Honesty. Integrity. Personal responsibility. Faith. Humility. Accountability.
Being a good friend and neighbor.
Believing in ourselves.
Believing in something bigger than ourselves.
Leaving the world a better place for our being here.
Trusting in our fellow man.
I couldn’t agree more. “Stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”
Anna, excellent reading.
You’re right, there are others who were raised with and still possess strong values and good work ethics. Part of our problem is that those folks do not want anything to do with politics. Politicians seem to be in a business of lining their pocketbook rather than represent the people from their state.district (regardless of their party). The current mindset seems to be that Democrats (or Republicans) elected me – I only represent Democrats (or Republicans). The fact that a representative represents all of the people is lost.
Great article – thanks for the insight.
Thank you, Old Soldier. Kasich goes into that aspect too. About how good people don’t run because politics no longer means helping the people but helping yourself. The politicians today tend to run with an “I’ll say what they want to hear, but I’ll do what I like” mentality. There has to be politicians who are willing to work together or we’re just going to sink deeper and deeper into this divisive swampland.
Sounds like a good book, Anna. We DO need to focus less on “Democrat/Republican” & more on what’s right & best for America. (Even many of my beloved Republicans seem to have strayed from this principle.) Whereas “party politics” has always been an undesirable part of the political scene, the serious challenges of today require ALL of all of our nation’s leaders to stop & see the big picture; our very survival may depend on it.
You are so right, Trish. They have to open their eyes and see the whole forest before it’s too late!
That’s one book that is definitely on my reading list this winter.
Yes, it seems that our politicians have strayed (well, marched, actually) from the original job description given to them by our founding fathers. They also seem to have forgotten that we are their employers, as many of us have forgotten that fact as well. I look at it as a business owner – if my employee is not handling the job I employed him or her for and is wasting my money and not serving the business’s interest, I fire him/her and employ someone who does. But this takes attention to the job performance and I’m afraid many employer/citizens just don’t take the time to see how the employees are doing. All it takes is looking at their congressional records and voting accordingly. And not watching political ads at election time!!
I hear you, Yankeemom! I have gotten so frustrated with them that I would love to dump the lot of them and start fresh! There are a couple who have been on Capital Hill since the ’50s and a lot since the ’60s! It’s no wonder they are so corrupt! A job where they work what, 40 weeks a year, pay no tax, premium health care, tough gig and they are taking complete advantage of it! Kasich actually turned down pay raises for himself because he felt the state government workers deserved a raise first!
You’ll like the book…it’s like a conversation.
Kennedy, Byrd. Don’t know how these people get re-elected time and time again. It’s like they are zombie fixtures in the Twilight Zone. There are always more of them.
These “Old Guard” are old and they need to step aside for the new generation.
Unfortunately, no one’s willing to run against them…no one worth anything anyway. So, these dinosaurs stay in office despite their lack of honor and integrity. Is it any wonder politics is so screwed up?!