Posted by
peripheral on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:35:43 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Austerity means (according to
Webster’s Revised Unabridged dictionary): “…Severity of manners or life;
extreme rigor or strictness; harsh discipline….severe simplicity…” This is
interesting in light of a statement made by the co-chair of Barack Obama's
Transition Team, Valerie Jarrett, when she appeared on Meet the Press this
weekend…Ms. Jarret told Tom Brokaw that "given the daunting challenges
that we face, it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really
take power/control and begin to rule day one." It is the use of the words
“power…control…rule” that are of interest. We have never spoken of an American
President in those terms previously. The History and Heritage has been that the
newly elected President will assume Leadership and Govern. That is a
significant difference in philosophy and governing.
A MONARCH is defined as one
who is: “A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler; an emperor,
king, queen, prince, or chief.” That is, one who would control and rule for as
long as the citizenry would permit. A
DICTATOR is one who is: “a person exercising
absolute power, esp. a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a
government without hereditary succession…one who authoritatively prescribes
conduct, usage, etc” If control, power, rule is the dynamic of the Transition
Team, that describes the direction for this nation in the foreseeable future.
Just one area for illustration of where this can lead. The concept of
“redistribution of wealth” is a new phrase and sound for the way we think in
this country. However, one is led to believe it will pertain to the wealthiest
5% in the nation to allow for the other 95% to receive tax cuts or financial
subsidies. Lest we be tempted to think this represents a tax increase of less
than 5% on the wealthiest Americans, there is another issue looming in the
background.
Many Americans have scrimped
and saved so they could have a private retirement account – IRA, 401K, or some
other private pension plan. In the Congress of the United States, the chairman of the
House Committee on Education and Labor Rep. George Miller said that sweeping
changes are coming to the 401(k) system. Those changes could include
confiscating workers' personal retirement accounts and converting them into
accounts managed by the Social Security Administration (GRA – Government
Retirement Accounts). There’s another word that fits in with the scheme of
“control, power, rule” – namely “confiscating”! This means the Federal
Government would seize and begin to control over $4 Trillion Dollars. Would
they invest your money? Have they invested what was taken from wages for Social
Security? The answer is: NO!
Leadership is ultimately
about getting things done - that Drive to Take
Action - and get results and improve performance. It’s the ability
to influence, motivate and provide the tools and environment to others so that
they can best contribute towards the successful attainment of the goals of
their community or organization. True Leadership does not need nor want
“control, power, rule, confiscation” in order to govern. It is usually the
areas of positive influence; motivation to action; and sacrificial example that
produce the greatest result and achieves the highest goals.
Consider these things with me
- - - A Good Leader is one who has himself learned by Following. Perhaps this
is why when Jesus was training disciples to prepare them for leadership, in
Matthew 16:24 He gave them two basic choices – if one wanted to be identified
with Him: (a) he must deny himself (of personal rights and desires); (b) he
must take up his cross (the symbol of dying to self interests and pride) – then
he will be able to follow Jesus Christ. Dictatorship is always marked by self-interests
and personal accruement. Monarchs are usually marked by self-aggrandizement and
wealth accumulation. The President-elect; the Transition Team he has formed; and
those he chooses to head the various agencies of Government all need a
substantial dose of and commitment to Micah 6:8, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what
does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.” Is it impossible for this to occur? Only if you allow negative
thinking and surrender to the inevitable – that neutralizes any positive
influence you could be. Always remember – NOTHING is Impossible with our God!