It matters little how any of us feel about specific issues, if the people we elect don’t have certain important and key personal attributes and skills. This is true whether we’re electing a new President or members of Congress. We need to also remember that the attributes and skills required to be an effective President are different (but complimentary) from the attributes and skills possessed by a successful Congressperson.
In my post on January 11th of this year, I highlighted Robert Dallek’s course, TO LEAD A NATION, The Presidency in the Twentieth Century, in which he discusses the reasons why some of the Presidents of the Twentieth Century (Theodore Roosevelt through Ronald Reagan) rose to greatness, while most of us can’t remember who the others were.
Mr. Dallek identifies several things that the “great Presidents” consistently score high in. This list of six items includes: Vision, charisma, pragmatism, consensus building, trust or credibility, and luck.
Before we vote in November this year, and elect a new House of Representatives and one third of the Senate, what if we identify the attributes and skills that a member of Congress should bring to the job. I propose that the list for a Congressperson includes items in five areas: Problem solver and action oriented, detail minded and pragmatic, consensus and team builder, trustworthy and credible, and service minded and unselfish. This list also complements Mr. Dallek’s list for Presidents. Wouldn’t it be nice if the President and Congress could work together no matter what party they might belong to? Aren’t personal attributes and skills a good place to start so that at a basic level they will all feel like they want to work together.
All of us have jobs where our personal attributes and skills were the first things considered when we were hired. Why would we want to do anything different when we vote (hire) for the people we are asking to do the work that needs to be done for America?
No matter how we feel on the issues, let’s elect quality people who can govern, and want to do the difficult work of governing. As voters, our goal should be to elect a Congress that we can give an approval rating above 20%. If we elect quality and qualified people to represent us, they will know how to help us sort out the issues.
Remember, when we step into the voting booth in November, lets vote for people who are problem solvers and action oriented, detail minded and pragmatic, consensus and team builders, trustworthy and credible, and service minded and unselfish.
Spread the word! Tell your friends about the Voting Alert Beacons!
. . . remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her. America’s best days are ahead of her. They always have been and always will be.
Dave
Copyright © 2014 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.
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