Wonderful thoughts Neo, allow me to go off on a tangent and explore them a bit further...
We all have basically four needs. To live (represented by our stomach, to love (represented by our heart), to learn (represented by our head), and to leave a legacy (represented by our spirituality). We want to live well, we want to be treated well, we want to develop and grow, and we want to make a difference.
Now, how does this manifest itself in the political sphere? One way is the way in which a party *sells* their philosophy, programs and beliefs. They have basically two ways in which they can do this. They can sell by manipulating, controlling, lying, denigrating or using coercive techniques. Or, they can "sell with honor".
Many pundits in the media have expressed disgust regarding the Republican convention and the way they "sold" their story. In other words, they believed there was an air of complete disingenuousness surrounding the entire event...
Most people view "selling as something you do to someone, not for or with someone". However, the other alternative, "selling with honor", requires skill, integrity and people knowledge. Selling with honor means that you assume your customer can always overhear you talking about them and govern yourself accordingly. Selling with honor leads to a transformation in the relationship, because conviction passes from the seller to the buyer. You sell differently then others because you see your purpose differently.
Republicans "sold with honor". They sold with an uplifting message which assumed the prospective customer shared the line-of-sight connections between what you have and what they want, you cannot sell to everyone because not everyone shares the same connective values. And you have have succinctly highlighted the main reasons why.
This election is between two main voting factions. "Compassionate conservatives", and "cynical liberals".
Clinton/Gore have raised our natural cynicism toward government to new highs. Some may never be able to come down from the clouds of cynicism and will forever believe that everything said in the polical realm is completely disingenuous. Others may recover some sense of respect toward our leaders, who we hope will lead based on the "servant leadership" model.
I suppose my point to all this is that unless we believe that honesty and integrity can exist as a voting populace. It never will. If we go on electing leaders who share the philosophy of "selling without honor" we will get what we deserve. Pigmalian will be shown right again, and the the "self fulfilling prophecy will come true".
Now, none of us truly knows what is in the heart or mind of George W Bush. We do, however, know that he "sold with honor". On the other hand, we already have ample evidence available in order to examine Al Gore. And he does not "sell with honor".
Why should we expect him to lead any differently?
The Democratic convention will be another vivid demonstration in order to examine the way in which Al Gore sells his story. And I seriously doubt whether he raises the bar in an uplifting honorable manner.
But we shall see...
Best, Michael |
