The end is near!
The end of the campaign season, that is! The next 36 hours wraps up two years of campaigning! Then, we’ll have the decision of the people and a new beginning for our country. It is my hope that no matter what side of the proverbial aisle people campaigned on and voted for, that we can all come together as Americans and support the leadership that is about to take hold, share our differences in a civil manner, and no matter what, work together to solve the problems our nation is faced with. I couldn’t have said it any better than one of my favorite authors recently did. The following is from Mark Sanborn’s blog.
Vote for America
October 31st, 2008 by Mark SanbornJohn F. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
Those words seem lost to history during this election. A primary focus has become who will get the most tax breaks from which candidate.
The question I hope voters will ask is, “Who will be best for the country?” Sadly, the emphasis seems to be “Who will be best for me.”
Ultimately what is best for the country will be best for me and you; focusing on individual gains at the expense of others is a shortsighted strategy in politics just as it is in business.
Despite the changes in our economy, some fundamentals still apply: there is no free lunch–somebody pays for it. Taxes are revenues used by the government to provide collective services we can’t provide individually. Rich, poor or middle-class, everyone benefits from policies that reward effort. And yes, those who take more risks and are willing to exert more effort generally benefit more. Why wouldn’t they? And our nation should do everything we can to create opportunities for all where employment is available and pay and benefits are fair.
What disappoints me most about the current state of our culture is the undercurrent of class warfare: us against them, whoever “us” and “them” are.
How about all of “US” (Americans) for each other? Do you think that’s what JFK had in mind?
Vote, but please be informed. Vote for ability, chararcter and the future of America, not soundbytes and empty promises.
And whoever is elected, whether you voted for them or not, let’s respect the outcome of the election process and support our new leaders. This is no time for whiners or sore-losers.
And please make your voice heard after election as well: communicate your views and beliefs in a way to creates dialogue with your fellow Americans and those in a position to create change. Our responsibility isn’t over after we cast our votes. We need to hold those we elect accountable.
May God bless America again.
Tags: Leadership, Politics
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.