Comments on: Politicians, Public Servants, and Statesmen. http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301 Gary Hart blog Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:25:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Gary Hart http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-179 Gary Hart Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:50:30 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-179 Both Michael and Kevin raise the question of whether America moves in cycles or in a line of very gradual progress. Arthur Schlesinger promoted the idea of 30 or 40 year cycles of reform followed by equal length cycles of conservatism. Most of us would like to believe America inevitably progresses, however slowly. But that periodic tendency to revert to the past and sometimes to try to reverse gains (such as the persistent desire by conservatives to privatize or even abolish Social Security) calls that belief into question. I'm still trying to figure this out. Both Michael and Kevin raise the question of whether America moves in cycles or in a line of very gradual progress. Arthur Schlesinger promoted the idea of 30 or 40 year cycles of reform followed by equal length cycles of conservatism. Most of us would like to believe America inevitably progresses, however slowly. But that periodic tendency to revert to the past and sometimes to try to reverse gains (such as the persistent desire by conservatives to privatize or even abolish Social Security) calls that belief into question. I’m still trying to figure this out.

]]> By: Tom Gee http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-177 Tom Gee Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:37:26 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-177 I side with Kevin here. I proudly cast my vote last November for a new president to serve a four-year term. Barring "high crimes and/or misdemeanors...," I will wait until 2012 to decide for whom I will vote next. I side with Kevin here. I proudly cast my vote last November for a new president to serve a four-year term. Barring “high crimes and/or misdemeanors…,” I will wait until 2012 to decide for whom I will vote next.

]]> By: Kevin W. http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-175 Kevin W. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:42:28 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-175 I think I understand your frustration; I feel much of it myself. To say that the culture of D.C. changes at a glacial pace might still be exceedingly generous. However, I've learned that true leadership is not always exhibited only by achieving optimal results in one fell swoop, but rather in nurturing and sustaining an environment where courageous, creative conversations about possible change can take place. Example: President Obama gave a speech in Prague about the possibility of a world free of nuclear weapons. Could this really happen? People are now talking. This is the only way that I've found to achieve sustainable, meaningful improvements in organizations, and by my observation, in nations. You may regard my sentiments as pollyanna, but I remain optimistic about our future. I think I understand your frustration; I feel much of it myself. To say that the culture of D.C. changes at a glacial pace might still be exceedingly generous. However, I’ve learned that true leadership is not always exhibited only by achieving optimal results in one fell swoop, but rather in nurturing and sustaining an environment where courageous, creative conversations about possible change can take place. Example: President Obama gave a speech in Prague about the possibility of a world free of nuclear weapons. Could this really happen? People are now talking.

This is the only way that I’ve found to achieve sustainable, meaningful improvements in organizations, and by my observation, in nations. You may regard my sentiments as pollyanna, but I remain optimistic about our future.

]]> By: Michael http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-174 Michael Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:31:59 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-174 Incremental change in the right direction, Kevin? Monied interests have this country by the throat. Despite having brought the world financial system to the brink of collapse, nothing had changed for them. Only because he’s in a tough reelection fight has Chris Dodd drawn up what looks like sensible regulatory reform, but given what we’ve seen with health care, what are the chances it’s going to pass? I’ll give you a hint: ZERO. Members of congress are bought and paid for by the financial industry and the tone-deaf White House isn’t pushing for meaningful reform. The only reforms we ever get are along the lines of the bankruptcy “reform” we got a few years ago – legislation that’s creating a generation of indentured servants to the banks. Special interests are sucking this county dry and politicians in both parties can’t seem to do enough to help them out. One can pine for idealism and statesmanship all they want, but this is the reality of the country today. Incremental change in the right direction, Kevin? Monied interests have this country by the throat. Despite having brought the world financial system to the brink of collapse, nothing had changed for them. Only because he’s in a tough reelection fight has Chris Dodd drawn up what looks like sensible regulatory reform, but given what we’ve seen with health care, what are the chances it’s going to pass? I’ll give you a hint: ZERO. Members of congress are bought and paid for by the financial industry and the tone-deaf White House isn’t pushing for meaningful reform. The only reforms we ever get are along the lines of the bankruptcy “reform” we got a few years ago – legislation that’s creating a generation of indentured servants to the banks. Special interests are sucking this county dry and politicians in both parties can’t seem to do enough to help them out. One can pine for idealism and statesmanship all they want, but this is the reality of the country today.

]]> By: Kevin W. http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-173 Kevin W. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:55:04 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-173 Incremental change in the right direction is better than unimpeded change in the wrong direction. Keep the faith, Michael! Incremental change in the right direction is better than unimpeded change in the wrong direction. Keep the faith, Michael!

]]> By: Michael http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-172 Michael Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:16:11 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-172 I put my life on hold for nearly two years for a 47 year-old presidential candidate who ignited the very same sense of idealism we’re talking about here. I felt tremendous pride and excitement when I was selected as his only delegate to the Democratic National Convention from NY-13. Unfortunately, we wound up now with someone in the Whitehouse that seems in over his head and, as a result, feels comfortable perpetuating the status quo when he had the opportunity to become another FDR. Still, it's intriguing to wonder what might have been had that other young candidate wrestled the nomination from the establishment that year, so long ago. I put my life on hold for nearly two years for a 47 year-old presidential candidate who ignited the very same sense of idealism we’re talking about here. I felt tremendous pride and excitement when I was selected as his only delegate to the Democratic National Convention from NY-13. Unfortunately, we wound up now with someone in the Whitehouse that seems in over his head and, as a result, feels comfortable perpetuating the status quo when he had the opportunity to become another FDR. Still, it’s intriguing to wonder what might have been had that other young candidate wrestled the nomination from the establishment that year, so long ago.

]]> By: Gary Hart http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-171 Gary Hart Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:38:00 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-171 Tom, you have the key reason right: It was only 20 short years, but a political lifetime, between "ask what you can do for your country" and "the government is the problem." Government and public service have been demeaned for most of 50 years. Plus there are journalistic rewards for "scrutiny", a must abused word. Some years from now, in response to Brian McCarthy, a political leader will write another profiles in courage about elected officials who saw farther ahead of their constituents and acted in the national interest. Idealism is a torch and it does from time to time outshine cynicism. Tom, you have the key reason right: It was only 20 short years, but a political lifetime, between “ask what you can do for your country” and “the government is the problem.” Government and public service have been demeaned for most of 50 years. Plus there are journalistic rewards for “scrutiny”, a must abused word.
Some years from now, in response to Brian McCarthy, a political leader will write another profiles in courage about elected officials who saw farther ahead of their constituents and acted in the national interest. Idealism is a torch and it does from time to time outshine cynicism.

]]> By: Brian C. McCarthy http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-168 Brian C. McCarthy Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:06:56 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-168 For all the contempt that is piled upon typical politicians who let the latest polls dictate their every move, it seems that even more scorn attaches to those who defy public opinion. Elected officials who follow their own consciences and do what is not popular with their constituents are derided as being "out of touch" with the people back home. It is virtually unheard of for a public official to do anything, whether popular or not, that does not generate chatter about what ulterior motive was behind it. The whole political atmosphere is so poisoned with cynicism; it is refreshing to hear a rare call to statesmanship. For all the contempt that is piled upon typical politicians who let the latest polls dictate their every move, it seems that even more scorn attaches to those who defy public opinion. Elected officials who follow their own consciences and do what is not popular with their constituents are derided as being “out of touch” with the people back home. It is virtually unheard of for a public official to do anything, whether popular or not, that does not generate chatter about what ulterior motive was behind it. The whole political atmosphere is so poisoned with cynicism; it is refreshing to hear a rare call to statesmanship.

]]> By: Tom Gee http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-167 Tom Gee Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:58:20 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-167 Listening to and reading the use of the terms "politician" and "political" by pundits and people in general, one gets the impression it's a dastardly profession. We remember otherwise, don't we? What do you think caused this change? I'm not sure I know, but I remember as far back as Watergate how White House aide Gordon Strachan responded during the hearings to a question about what advice he would give to other young people about serving in government. He said something to the effect of, "I'd tell them not to go." Then, in Reagan, we had a president who openly and repeatedly demeaned government in every way he could. Listening to and reading the use of the terms “politician” and “political” by pundits and people in general, one gets the impression it’s a dastardly profession. We remember otherwise, don’t we? What do you think caused this change? I’m not sure I know, but I remember as far back as Watergate how White House aide Gordon Strachan responded during the hearings to a question about what advice he would give to other young people about serving in government. He said something to the effect of, “I’d tell them not to go.” Then, in Reagan, we had a president who openly and repeatedly demeaned government in every way he could.

]]> By: Gary Hart: Politicians, Public Servants, and Statesmen | News from: The Huffington Post - Breaking News and Opinion http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301&cpage=1#comment-166 Gary Hart: Politicians, Public Servants, and Statesmen | News from: The Huffington Post - Breaking News and Opinion Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:03:13 +0000 http://www.mattersofprinciple.com/?p=301#comment-166 [...] Posted from Senator Hart’s new blog at Matters of Principle. [...] [...] Posted from Senator Hart’s new blog at Matters of Principle. [...]

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