Tom Shanker writes in the NYT* about other top military officers being relieved of command for serious lapses in judgement and even criminal behavior. There is some speculation that the military has developed a we/they view toward the civilian population. Within this article is a quote by Paul V. Kane: “The country is suffering a crisis of leadership — in politics, in business and in the church, as well as in the military,” he said. “We have lots of leaders, but we have a national deficit in true leadership.”
For some time it has seemed to me that our leaders are tone deaf to the views of the general population. In politics they seem to ignore our concerns and vote against the interests of the country for their own ambitions and retention of power. Congressional ratings prior to the recent election were at all time lows yet there is at least a 50/50 chance we will purposely go into a recession because Congress will not compromise even though there was a national mandate for both parties to work together. Business executives used government bailout money in 2008 to raise bonuses even though the public was vehemently opposed. The Catholic Church moved known pedophile priests to different parishes, certainly unknown to the congregations.
I don't think it is too much to ask people we give power over the welfare of our lives and nation to be held to a high standard and accountable for their behavior. If that shrinks the so-called pool of talent then so-be-it. I believe that there are principled men and women who respect the will of the people and feel privileged to be entrusted with our welfare.
*"Concern Grows Over Top Military Officers’ Ethics", by Tom Shanker, NYT, November 12,.2012.
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