Flaws are OK

President Donald Trump’s recent alleged vulgar characterization of Haiti and countries from Africahas prompted many of his opponents to accuse him of beinggreatly flawed and unworthy of his position.

But being a flawed leader may not as harmful as some believe. Leadership in government and business is populated with those with impeccable resumes and credentials. And that is often why things that need to be done don’t get done. These near-flawless individuals do not want to rock the boat and blemish their precious reputations.

Thus many of our leaders fear speaking out against the great policy blunders of our times — the insanity of illegal immigration, or a bloated social welfare system that allows able-bodied people to game the system, or the foolishness of government controlling health care, or the climate-change hoax where shysters steal money belonging to real energy producers. Many of our leaders do not have the courage to criticize bad policy for fear of losing their sterling reputations and being called selfish, racist or stupid by browbeating progressive bullies.

Numerous great leaders in history such as Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant and Winston Churchill were deeply flawed and yet accomplished substantially more than their contemporaries who had perfect resumes.

Flawed but great leaders in history succeeded because they were willing to criticize bad policy and take the heat instead of just going along to get along to protect their “good” reputations. DAVE MAJERNIK

Plum

The writer is vice chairman of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County.