Since a very nasty and divisive political campaign came to an end yesterday, it might be time to look at the situation since it's the morning after.
I look back in time to see strong dynamic leaders who led good governments. Today I dislike the governments we have. I look forward to getting a better more perfect government in the future.
I look back at presidents who I admire: Carter, Kennedy, Obama, Truman. I look back at Canadian prime ministers such as: St Laurent, King, Diefenbaker, Trudeau Sr. I even got to like Brian Mulroney and Jean Chretien. I think I would like Eisenhower or Roosevelt.
So when we look back things don't seem so bad.
However, today we have a different political climate. The characters we have today don't seem to have any concept that there is a country and that they serve that people. Policies should be crafted that bring about benefits for all and to make a strong country. Leaders today play fast and loose with the truth. Voters don't seem to be able to make these devils pay for not telling the truth or leading country to strength and goodness.
For tomorrow I'm optimistic. I hope there will be honorable great leaders step in to lead government. I hope that our governments will see the light that certain things have to be done to have a good country. They could start by seeing that something large and very concrete has to be done about climate change like yesterday.
For me, I'm influenced by perspective. I wear a number of different colored glasses.
Do you have leaders from the past who you think were successful in moving the country forward. Who were these leaders? What were they like?
Do you have hope that in the future we will have honorable people step in to lead a country for the good of all or should I say most?
Your list of US presidents is pretty good. Of course they were Democrats, and now we have a repugnant variety of Republican, which makes it doubly difficult. I'll tell you if I have hope after I see what happens in 2020. :-(
ReplyDeleteI did not know that these 4 were democrats.
DeleteI appreciate your optimism. I want to be optimistic but it is difficult. I want so badly to see politicians we can look up to, respect and believe. I want to see politicians that care about our country, our people and our world. We voted in record numbers and even though we didn't win the Senate we did win the House and that gives some hope. But after seeing the president's press conference it is clear that this will get ugly.
ReplyDeleteI wear a number of hats so sometimes my statements may be confusing. I'm a Canadian who lives in North America. North american issues affect all North Americans.
DeleteBritain has had some great leaders and some not so great. However greatness is a strange quality for some of the most effective leaders were and are not necessarily regarded as great (and vice versa).
ReplyDeleteThere have been some good British leaders.
DeleteI think one has to be optimistic. There were several firsts, in a nation known for deeply entrenched and vocal racism, homophobia, misogyny, and the 1% millionaires.
ReplyDeleteThe first openly gay man as governor, 96 women elected nationally, two first nations women: one was the first Native American lesbian, the first two muslim women.
Those are some positive gains. I hope they can be of influence.
DeleteHello, I pray for a less partisan, corrupted, moral and decent government. Right now I see gridlock, the Democrats against the Republicans. God helps us, we need it. I hope you have a happy day!
ReplyDeletePoliticians have taken their eye off the ball .
DeleteI agree with Linda. Your list of US presidents you admire were strongly Democratic leaders. And I have to be optimistic about the future, because otherwise it just drags me down for no good reason. I think FDR left a very positive impact on my country.
ReplyDeleteThings will get better. I think youth see through the crap.
DeleteWe've had our share of rogues in the past, too, from McCarthy to Nixon, and even Kennedy . . . he's considered a war-mongering sexual predator by some people these days. I wouldn't be so harsh myself; but I sure do agree we could use a good common sense prez. like Truman or Eisenhower to lead us out of all our self-serving divisions and rebuild a sense of the common good.
ReplyDeleteI agree that common sense is needed.
DeleteOn occasion I have crossed paths with Joe Clark or Jean Chretien, as they both spend time in law firms downtown.
ReplyDeleteJoe Who could have been a good prime Minister.
DeletePretty happy to see results here, the nay sayers seemed to have left. 89% of woman candidates were elected adding more diversity among opinions
ReplyDeleteI hope the women have influence.
DeleteI think perspective helps us be more forgiving in mistakes made by leaders during difficult times, but egocentric power hunger with absolutely no love of a country's citizens will never be forgiven.
ReplyDeleteyes, and you could easily list examples of those not forgiven.
DeleteSomewhere along the line the public has forgotten that politicians work for us and they should be held accountable. We have to wake up and turn this around. Politicians have become opportunistic, greedy and corrupt. I'm curious to see what will happen with our federal elections next year. They are already starting to stink.
ReplyDeleteSome evil people are starting to appear and make threats.
DeleteThere's probably a tendency to idealize the politics of the past, because we only see the winners and their legacies. We don't see the hard-fought battles that got them there. For every FDR there's a Joseph McCarthy! That being said, I'm a huge fan of FDR, and I think Obama was easily our best modern president.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Red. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
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