A Country is Known by the Leaders it Keeps

The leaders we keep

How can it be that two powerful countries (UK USA), using trusted electoral processes, can divide large numbers of citizens? I wonder, is it the leaders we pick? Or is it the nature of politics and politicians.

Contents

Leadership, but not as we know it … dim

Nevertheless we are stuck with the leaders we pick, for years. In particular, as bastions of “democracy”, the USA and UK are alike, both wonderful and stupid at the same time. Also, to coin a Scottish phrase, why are parcels of rogues in charge? How can we straighten-out the harmful and catastrophic, selfishness, stupidity and ineptitude we experience?

Facts? Who needs ’em?

In spite of imprecise goals and strategies, emotion rules many of the leaders we pick. As a rule, are disdain, rage and bile helpful problem solvers? For example, politicians often hurl abuse at each other, demonising and misleading. Why don’t we demand clarity of thinking, truth and clear strategic goals? Awkward question, how often do we experience truly amazing performance that benefits all of us?

System working? For us? For the leaders?

Political decisions impact citizens’ wealth, safety and wellbeing for, it looks like, a long time to come. Be honest with yourself, how confident are you in the leaders we have?

Surely the news and TV gives evidence that parliamentary politics mean our politicians focus on their infighting instead of the UK’s needs. Furthermore there is truly ineffective planning and management or the UK would have been Utopia decades ago.

The leaders we pick

Theresa May, UK

TM asked the UK for a mandate … She didn’t get it and lost her majority.

TM gained power and hangs on, in spite of losing the election. The small party, who help her stay in power, ignored the democratic wishes of their people. Naughty Northern Ireland.

TM is in charge of a divided country and party.

TM created a shamefully cruel immigration policy.

TM Lacks empathy.

TM’s thick (but not impervious) skin aids her survival.

TM claims to be a Christian.

Donald Trump, USA

Trump won over a major section of voters and got the presidency … There may have been some external naughtiness involved, but for now, that isn’t relevant, hints aren’t guilt.

Trump gained power, in spite of getting less votes than his opponent. Just now, with the change in the House, there’s a chance DT will be up against it fairly soon … and then what?

Trump doesn’t listen, tells lies & hates immigrants, including children.

Trump leads a divided country and GOP. Partisan politics and self-interest means that shameful behaviours and dishonesty are accepted.

Trump created a shamefully cruel immigration policy.

Trump Lacks empathy.

Trump’s thin skin, rudeness and cruelty abet his survival and avoiding criminal charges.

Trump claims to be a Christian.

Pointing fingers

You may have heard the saying about when you point-the-finger, one finger points at the target and the other three point back at you. For this reason, I’m embarrassed and annoyed with myself. I tend to avoid the Brexit and Bremain rudeness because idiocy, whatever your stripe, is idiocy. It’s time to stand up and be counted.

Given the above, let’s face the facts:

UK

A mean spirited, ineffective Prime Minister drags our country into an abyss of our own making. Around her, some (mercifully not all) powerful politicians manoeuvre for best personal advantage.

The PM swears commitment to democracy yet when she asked for a mandate, she didn’t get it, read our lips, Prime Minister, no majority. When you asked, the British people spoke, in 2017. She won’t allow a second referendum because its “anti-democratic”, yet with the prospect of losing her EU bill in parliament, she fudged/lied and deferred a promised “meaningful” vote.

USA

POTUS isn’t our problem and, of course, I respect the office (and, I love the USA and have great friends there) … aside from all the cant, pettiness and petulance. Generally speaking, there is only one area, as an outsider, I will comment on.

How can POTUS harm his own government workers, over a political spat? It defies human decency. It’s stupid and cruel … and, I suppose, that’s where this blog started.

Poo’ li’l eejit (Elmer Fudd and Scotia forgive me), someone wipe DT’s nose, he’s sniffing about being lonely again.

We Citizens

Where is the logic in entrusting the future of our children to leaders such as these? What are we going to do (peacefully, constructively and powerfully) about it? If we don’t know contempt for citizens when it slaps us in the face, God help us all.