Leaders need character, integrity
Whether we like it or not, we have elected a most unusual individual as our nation’s leader. Along with his good points however, we have to learn to accept his character flaws. They are not always easy to ignore or overlook since the television news media is all too quick to point them out at every opportunity. He is quick to verbalize a proposed program and establish a level of expectation in the minds of those listening. However, after some thought and when he rephrases the program at a later date using a different set of parameters or objectives it can sound different. And, even the slightest changes in the headlines wordings can prompt the television commentators to quickly point out the difference and make an accusation of him lying.
We saw this dramatized last week when trying to define our nation’s opioid problem. He first promised a war on our National Health Emergency and later defined the effort as an attack on our Public Health Crisis or emergency (depending on who rephrased the statement). The change prompted the CNN television news to quickly say he lied. There is a difference in the source of funding depending on how the project is titled but the important issue to many of us is getting the government to focus on the abuse of opioids used for pain in many types or formulations of drugs as well as the criminal writing of prescriptions where not needed. The crisis is real and focusing on the problem is truly a step in the right direction. We gain little by pointing out the discrepancy in terminology even if there are differences in funding.
If the president could simply learn some self-control and realize he doesn’t have to dominate the news, he might establish himself as a great American leader in history. Whether he can allow himself to step away from the limelight remains to be seen. Even when he is not trying, the news seems focused on his activities, whether sending out a Tweet or making a staff change. It is difficult to know when he is making a well-calculated decision or the news media’s involvement simply turns the event into a planned decision with a positive outcome.
The president’s war with two senators from the Republican Party brought attention to the outcome of a previous decision that the news media termed “firing.” When Steve Bannon left the White House, it was dubbed a problem in the president’s inner circle. Now, back at his previous post, he is free to attack any “enemy” of the president without reservation or accountability to the press. Bannon even seems to imply he has had a hand in the decision of the two senators to not seek reelection.
It was interesting to “Google” the two senators and learn a little bit about them and their personal backgrounds. This in no way explains their conflict with Trump or his program. It does, however explain to a small degree that they had a measure of independence from the Washington establishment that might have given them a sense of security.
Senator Bob Corker (RTN) is on the list (number 23) of the 25 wealthiest members of Congress. His tenure in Washington includes 10 years (so far) in the Senate. He is chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and has a net worth of almost $18 million, including commercial real estate and other investments. He is 65 and could be ready to settle back to a less stressful life than that imposed by a political Washington lifestyle.There doesn’t seem to be anything in the material that would tie him to the Washington establishment.
The other senator saying he will not run for another term was Jeff Flake (RAZ), the first-term junior senator to Sen. McClain (R-AZ). Sen. Flake is also a well-seasoned Washington politician. He served in Congress as an Arizona representative for 12 years. He will be 55 years of age in December of this year and has spent almost 20 years in Washington. Sen. John McCain speaks highly of him and he may have been a very valuable asset to Arizona as a senator. In the months between now and his departure, he may be a source of understanding about the true workings in Washington. With no expectation or concern about reelection he will be free to talk openly about what he sees as many of our political problems.
We need to question in our own minds if Trump’s claim of forcing these two men out is correct or if circumstances in their lives allow them a degree of independence that other senators don’t enjoy. I would like to think they are strong enough and wise enough to try to expose some of Washington’s seamier side during the next months as the battle wages over health care reform, budget and debt debates and tax reform. There is a need, a very bad need in my personal opinion, for men and women of character and integrity to help us normal voters, tax payers and citizens know what we are getting from and through Washington — Congress, the president and the judicial system.
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Editor’s note: Leo Lynch, an award-winning columnist, is a native of Benton County and has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. The opinions expressed are those of the author. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace.