We Need Principled, Strong
Politicians with Conviction

Leadership Woes

Commentary for Wednesday 12/20/2006 The Absence of Leadership

Have we forgotten how to elect Leaders? I for one am fed up with electing these middle-of-the-road, afraid to offend anybody, and cow-towing politicians. The political parties keep coughing up candidates that are so beholding to the 'party' that they are neutered.

This point was driven home with the just concluded November elections. The Democrats ran a slate of candidates in those districts as conservatives. That alone, isn't so bad, what matters to me about such tactics is conviction. These candidates were party financed from a very liberal party. Does anyone expect them to vote conservatively? What about their convictions in the world politic? If a candidate allows his political race to be financed by a group that doesn't share his political views, wouldn't it be fair to assume that he will not disappoint those who financed him? Even if these conservative candidates had conservative views, they sold out any rights to them by taking campaign help from the Democrat Party.

It is a matter of conviction. The republicans that are so afraid of their positions that they will not vote their convictions, are in the same situation as their democratic colleagues that ran under the conservative banner. What I would like to see are politicians that are able to negotiate, but all the while upholding their convictions. I like people that stand for something. When a politician doesn't live up to my expectations, I want to vote against his next candidacy without the guilt that if I do, the country is doomed. This year, the Republican Party left republicans with the choice of supporting a disappointing, poorly led congress (re-electing the incumbents) or loosing the war in Iraq. That's no way to win an election! Republicans couldn't find any conviction with the possible exception of Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. He won my respect just because he ran on his convictions, which is rare in politics today.

Leadership doesn't mean to curry favor with those who hold opposite views to yours. The old saying, "If your not slow, or not fast, your only half-fast." Is just as true in the world of politics. Insist that the leaders you elect have convictions that they passionately espouse. You'll be happier with those who don't sell out. Make your vote really count by voting against the deal makers and those who are wishy-washy in their convictions.

Robert welcomes your comment to this or any other of my commentaries.

-Privacy Policy-

Daylite Sun does not share any personal information about its readers. Email addresses, or other personal information is strictly confidential.

Unique Visitors