Where is the leadership? Where are our leaders? Why aren't there any leaders?
How many times have you heard those questions being asked in your life...especially around here.
I've heard "leadership" being thrown around a lot. In a matter of fifteen minutes, I've heard different people make contridictory arguments as to what constitutes leadership;
1.) Someone who stands up for what the people want
2.) Someone who stands up for what's right even when the people are against it.
Well, aren't those contriictions?
I'm beginning to think what Americans want isn't leadership, they want people who think the way they think and do what they want to do, prioritized the way they want them to be. Can we really have leaders if what we're looking for is 300 million different types of leadership. Can Americans really be "led?"
CONGESTION PRICING;
A huge issue here in New York City is Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan...If you haven't heard about it, basically the mayor's plan to reduce traffic in Midtown and Lower Manhattan is to charge drivers $8 to drive below 60th Street during weekday peak hours. It has been met with both praise and contempt. The city council passed it, largely on a vote decided by members from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The state Assembly failed to vote on it today thanks, in part, to the Speaker of the Assembly who represents Lower Manhattan, where the plan is popular. Today, the plan died without a vote in the State Assembly. In the aftermath, I've heard people calling Shelly Silver, the Speaker of the Assembly, a great leader for not allowing a "bad plan" to come up for a vote, and others saying he lacked leadership for not supporting the plan or holding a vote.
Who's right?
Look at other issues too;
IRAQ:
Does John McCain and George W. Bush show leadership for standing up for what they believe in despite the public being against it? Or do those in the Out of Iraq caucus show true leadership for wanting to get us out of Iraq ASAP? I've heard arguments for both.
GAY MARRIAGE:
Do those who defend "traditional marriage" show leadership, or is leadership shown by those who push for marriage equality? Again, I've heard arguments for both.
NATIONAL SECURITY:
Is leadership the Republicans willing to spy on Americans without a warrant to protect lives, or is Russ Feingold a leader for standing up against the PATRIOT Act despite being the only one? Again, I've heard arguments for both.
Obviously, you would know what my answer is based on the fact that I'm here.
For me, let's take an issue I disagree with the Democratic Party on; gun control.
I would say, perhaps in conflict with many here, that reactionary gun control legislation is not leadership, rather leadership is protecting Second Amendment rights against knee-jerk reactions against guns in the aftermath of such tragedies as Columbine and Virginia Tech. I'm sure someone will give me a strong rational argument otherwise.