Op Ed: 'WE THE PEOPLE' Shape Leadership By HOW We Follow

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Any single leader can ONLY “lead” when the many make sure to follow --and find ways to support that leader in what they know must be done. Any successful business entrepreneur rapidly learns that it takes the entire team to win. Ask any sports championship coach.

Democracy demands determined, definitive and deep support for ANY leader. That’s the main-point of the political principles involved in any demonstration of its unique capabilities.

In crisis that support shapes and can determine success OR “failure”. That “failure” can be actual OR only “political”’-- so perceived by the people via impacts of perverted propaganda and distorted demands.

Those demonstrate only the continued determination of the few, seeking to shelter their already-attained privileged positions.

In any crisis, we tend to demand of ANY elected leader rapid, sure proof of positive forward progress, forgetting that inevitably, inexorably, inescapably, WE, TOO must “lead”.

What WE do will make-or-break ANY leader. What we CHOOSE to do should be by thought and reason - unmoved by anything but our own responsibility and accountability.

This is the universal historic key to all “success” in our American democracy: IF ALL are to succeed --as democracy surely contends is possible, desirable, achievable-- then ALL must participate, providing mind-and-muscle, to win the blessed benefits for ALL.

Our Founders never, ever insisted that ALL must “succeed”, no matter how defined.

But they risked their lives for the basic principle of full opportunity for ALL to do so. THAT surely implies willing, cooperative, combined and continuing support for leadership, clearing the way and consolidating the components for national success.

The “wit, wisdom and will of the American people” forms and provides the real force of “the American Way”, we have been told for decades by our other successful leaders.

THAT “American Way” is NOW surely demanded more than ever in American history. Yet we find a small, determined, desperate and about-to-be-deprived group willing to sacrifice that simplest, most solid political-truth.

Surely we should have learned --in our nearly 250 growing years “as a unique democratic experiment”- how to deal with unholy, impure, unprincipled dissent. We can cope with disagreement and dissent on what we should choose to do --but when the people speak in democratic-decision-by-VOTE -- with controlling mandate for massive major changes --then we must ALL listen.

For ostensible “political principle”, those who did not hear the voice of our people on Nov. 4 continue to demonstrate complete willingness to cavil and complain: Then to constantly consolidate and coordinate every possible kind of negative effort and delaying/denying demand and distracting “development.”

They seek to devil, delay, deny --and if possible defeat WHATEVER President Obama presents to the despairing American public --in its greatest moments of distress since the Great Depression.

They present “the dark shadows of “failure”, in every way possible; then work to prevent any possible way for any real “transformative change” to move forwards as reality. They threaten to force that final very evident “ending point” they still seek, blindly oblivious to its wreaking damages not only to our nation, but to the rest of the world, caught in the complex circumstances clearly beyond any precedent.

They fight futilely, and millions think foolishly against the very views they once upheld, fiscally and via national policies --in place, destructively, for thirty proving years.

They force --surely foolishly-- weakening the very weapons by which recession may be prevented from becoming OUR Great Depression --”all over again”.

Even economists have now learned what NOT to DO, given desperate, deepening search-and-test ever since, demonstrated by historic precedent from New Deal days and World War II.

Bretton Woods and world events following present not only guiding precedent but also warning symptoms diagnosed by those very actions --applied as the world has changed and in challenging ways never foreseen then or since.

World Bank, IMO, the Friedman-Hayek “Chicago Boys”, Chile, Russian implosion, North/South Korea and Iran-Contra, Afghanistan --finally Iraq preemptively attacked at cost of $ THREE TRILLION have NOW fully prompted any possible continuing confidence, much less trust, in policies from neo-con sources and cabals.

“Greed is good” and “Government is NOT solution but problem” have had their day --fully, firmly, finally on the record for what they proved to be worth.

To some fiscal-financial “standard sources”, that may have been billions --however temporarily held. For many Americans, “comfortable” has now become a bad-word --made so by the same men and means as was “liberal, by the workings of the same “noise machine” in operation for all these thirty years.

For many millions of Americans, “the situation” has NOW proven to be primary loss of any employment, of healthcare protection for families --even of return to “welfare days” with food boxes from the more fortunate. Given those reigning realities, “leadership” takes on exceeding and excruciating circumstance --undeniably demanding distinct demonstration of good-faith devoted, even dedicated, “followership” from the people --ALL of the people.

In no way does that desecrate or deviate from “the long-loved, highly-valued American tradition of dissent.” But it does provide a differing standard, demanding rational, reasonable, fact-based cogitation and true patriotic concern and consideration from ALL of us.

“Political principle” so-termed for so long, over so many testing situations (and past “burst-bubbles”!) must finally be seen for what reality has shown it to be.

A miasma, a dogma, a deceptive guide to past prerogatives, purged by plunging economies worldwide of any present meanings ever once so wrapped.

Greed is NOT GOOD for the great-many. As life value it has been de-valued --as in “de-regulation.” As guiding attitude it has been disproven-- outrun around the world by the many diverse, diffuse, and potentially damaging situations arriving --willy/nilly-- via “globalization”.

As “political principle” it has become unmistakably and irretrievably tested --and found destructively damaging and desperately wanting --as in preemptive snatch for power-and-oil in Iraq.

NOW our government has been proven once again the precise and only prime source for some situations: When it is the ONLY sensible and the single sole succoring-saving component citizens can count on within their reigning lifestyle and financial foundation.

Given even beginning-time, demanded action to preserve and protect financial-system components has already started its healing influence: loans again are getting made, as basic capital emerges from frozen-trust and fractured confidence within the fiscal/financial system.

YOU can get what you need to pay for, with due diligence, and diversity of source-search. WE can get what WE must have as a nation for “leadership”. to provide what we MUST have for concentration on the commonweal, on Congress, on cooperation over competition and further corporate consolidation.

WE CHOOSE what we DO and MUST DO. One can see it happening every day, in every open dialog channel, as we either share-and-learn OR debate and descend still further into “political-principle” depravity.

Henry Clay Ruark is one of, if not the most experienced, working reporter in the state of Oregon, and possibly the entire Northwest. Hank has been at it since the 1930's, working as a newspaper staff writer, reporter and photographer for organizations on the east coast like the Bangor Maine Daily News.
Today he writes Op-Ed's for Salem-News.com with words that deliver his message with much consideration for the youngest, underprivileged and otherwise unrepresented people.

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Henry Ruark April 10, 2009 4:05 pm (Pacific time)

Dan B.: Thank you,sir, for recognizing and supporting my intense concern re some level of comment here. Re protocol error, blame that on staff or not as one wishes...probably fact, from some personal experience on the wrong end of such !! BUT for me the bow seemed only to be decent personal courtesy extended in friendly fashion --surel not worth any significance except for those who seek such just to build "big story" --for malign purposes, as plainly seen by how, where, from whom it was originated and carried out. Fact is simply that U.S. prestige is at historic low, and Pres.O is in historic situation to assist in its abslute essential rebuilding; I'm willing to leave to him, in the context of the reality situation, how he chooses so to do. America cannot but be proud of fact he is who he is, now representing our next step in perfecting, protecting and extending our democracy, for what the Founders meant it to become.

Henry Ruark April 10, 2009 2:30 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Here's "see with own eyes" from internationally recognized source re G20, showing progress far beyond that admitted by most U.S. press: www.americanprogres.org NAVIGATING THE G20: Despite claims to the contrary, Obama's trip to the G20 summit in London did move forward several significant developments. First and perhaps most notably, the G20 committed to expanding resources for global lending facilities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from $250 billion to $1.1 trillion. As the Economist noted, observers should be cautiously optimistic about the figures, as it's not yet clear from where all of the money will come from. However, "the fatness of the figures does suggest that the world's leading emerging and rich economies are serious about bulking up the IMF." The new resources will help the IMF and other global financial institutions to "cushion the collapse in global demand, by allowing countries from which private capital flees to cut spending by less than they otherwise would." Furthermore, the G20 agreed that "the heads and senior leadership of the international financial institutions should be appointed through an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process," paving the way to allowing the World Bank or the IMF to be led for the first time by an individual from the developing world. This change would be significant because, as former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson, has explained, many countries in need of assistance are reluctant to approach the IMF because of what they view as "rich countries" forcing them to accept "onerous" lending terms. "By giving middle- and lower-income countries a greater role in [IMF] governance," other countries that need assistance may be more likely to ask for it. Additionally, Obama played a key role in brokering an agreement on a new G20 "effort to list tax havens, as a way to 'name and shame' them into becoming more transparent and cooperating with international rules." The French and Chinese delegations disagreed on how the G20 Communique should address the tax havens list and French President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to walk out of the meeting. Obama, however, delicately took the two delegations aside individually and successfully negotiated compromise language." ------- From Archives 4/9. Note they were there to report vs some repeating only what they found elsewhere,offered anonymously since thus non-responsible, and filtered further as only personal translation without link for evaluation.

Dan Brindel April 10, 2009 2:07 pm (Pacific time)

I agree with you Henry, literally every site that I post on I provide my email address and on each post I also acknowledge my name. I have gotten some crank calls because of that but I don't care. Heck I have nothing to hide and my opinions are mine regardless if the pc crowd does not like them. Saying that, I am concerned about Obama's leadership. The other day when he bowed to the Saudi King, that was no doubt a protocl error, but it was his staff who spinned the story by saying that the bow was Obama bending over because the Kings hand was lower to grasp for a handshake. I kid you not. So I guess this is what concerns me, why not admit an error instead of covering it up?

Henry Ruark April 10, 2009 11:31 am (Pacific time)

To all: Please take note of Editor's warning re multiple names. Simple, easy, ONLY honest way is to sign your own stuff with your own name; with ID for further insights on call when requested. To do so otherwise is simply to affirm your own intention to stay hidden from full and open disclosure, first stage in establishing both credibility here and responsibility owed to both the readership and to Tim. Think about this, cogitate re your comments --then fire away at will --that in all true essence is what the Founders intended in their very First Amendment, never intended to conceal, cover and facilitate too-easy, open distortion and perversion via refusal of basic perception essential in all honest and democratic communication. Stand up for YOURself, tell your story, join the open, honest cumulative impacts of democratic dialog multiplying diversity, sharing learnings, and developing consensus on solid grounds of full, open --democratic !!-- dialog.

Hastings April 10, 2009 7:56 am (Pacific time)

Editor: From this point forward, any posts attributed to posters who use multiple names will be deleted. In other words, figure out who you are and stick with it. If you have different people posting from the same computer, then have them make a note of that and we may go ahead and approve the comments. This person, who has used a bunch of names including Hastings, Sean Hannity, Mike and James Noble needs to do some self-searching.

Henry Ruark April 9, 2009 8:30 am (Pacific time)

"Anon" et al: You wrote:"...but he needs to have better advisors." You miss point of Op Ed, and substitute unwarranted personal value judgment. For any impact whatsoever, now, we need to "follow" with support and strong, provable points of our own design to offset massive dollar-driven private-interest manipulation via long-term "noise machine". That's WHY Founders gave us First Amendment --"first" by their choice, fundamentally to provide precisely that kind of cooperative impacts via many views from diverse sources,all set in democratic context via election of representatives to guide and support the chief Executive --with our VOTE still ruling as prime-power --as demonstrated Nov. 4, despite billions spent to defeat that reality. When we surrender the Founders' own wise, systematic, democratic, unique-in-history approach for competitive "kill the other" denigration, damage and strong determination to assist in any failure-possible, we are, many millions have come to believe, simply shooting ourselves right in the ---democracy !! For the record, each of the G20 nations has itself gone the "stimulus" route, while being forced back into the throes of nationalism, tariff and other free-trade anomalies with each thus seeking some advantage over others.

Henry Ruark April 8, 2009 1:19 pm (Pacific time)

Vic:
No "amazing transformation" --just change, in slow process demanded as always where social, academic, economic, cultural, religious, political, and other longtime habits, policies, reluctant laissez-faire/attitude citizens and other forces are shaping society --so what else is new ??
Hang in there, foster both tolerance and patience; and relax...it is in process, and will continue more rapidly and more affectively as well as effectively if we support, strengthen, assist, guide, dialog and democratize --as never before, seizing great opportunities buried in the current economic crisis.
Starting with fiscal pirates such as AIG/WStreet; with re-reg for banks; with strict corporate charter revisions; with renewed development of unions;with "digital delivery" of deepening opportunities to all schools AND homes; with home learning centers, adding to home entertainment centers.
moretocome

Anonymous April 8, 2009 5:24 pm (Pacific time)

What benefit came out of the G20 for the United States? It was Obama's main thrust to get more stimulus from Europe as well as more "combat" troops for Afghanistan, he got neither. He then requested that Turkey (not in Europe) be included in the European Union, even Brown of the UK was flabbergasted with that idea, especially coming from us, a non-member of the union. It would be like the president from say France going to Cuba and saying we should let them into NAFTA. Sure Obama has been in power for a short time, but he needs to have better advisors.

Vic April 8, 2009 11:51 am (Pacific time)

. "He told a cheering crowd of soldiers it was time for Iraqs to 'take responsibility for their country and their sovereignity'".......Bush did this several times, as did Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld among others...talk is cheap.

Vic April 8, 2009 11:49 am (Pacific time)

I really hope you are right, Henry...I really do. I hope that I am just so cynical that I cannot see the amazing transformation taking place, but it sure seems like business as usual. Still looks like our foreign policy comes from Tel Aviv, and we have the exact same cast of war managers and "goals", and we are still blowing up Pakistani villages with drones (the ultimate cowards weapon). I dont see any changes...I hear about them, and how different things will be, but on the issues of foreign policy ans war, things dont look so different to me.

Henry Ruark April 8, 2009 10:54 am (Pacific time)

Vic: You wrote:"...telling troops in Iraq that "the next 18 months are going to be crucial times for US troops in Iraq"....EIGHTEEN MONTHS? " NYT front-pager (R/G) headed "It's time for Iraqis to stand up..." Obama tells troops." Story states he empowered less than three months,repeats his original pledge-date,seeks more rapid action from Iraq. "He told a cheering crowd of soldiers it was time for Iraqs to 'take responsibility for their country and their sovereignity'" For rational, reasonable progress, to me that sounds pretty good for his first two months; must I also list long series of other achievements he has put into place or into beginning actions ? We CHOSE in the past; now we pay consequences. We can CHOOSE for the future and, indeed, we MUST --by action OR inaction, by support OR "political-principle" depravity--defined here as: depravity (as in "corruption") n. : moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principle. Leadership cannot exist without followers; followers thus owe leaders support, care vs attack, rational-reasonable beginning-time; and, for our nation, Constitutional use of communication with elected representatives, including removal by vote or recall --and, for President, that final action of impeachment. See previous Op Eds for more detail over past two years.

Henry Ruark April 8, 2009 8:38 am (Pacific time)

"Anon",Vic: Empowered as President for only two months, you demand Obama create new world order instantly --after 30 years desperate worldwide damage by deep neocon plot, bringing on economic catastrophe globally. Human birth demands only two persons for relationship, then NINE MONTHS.(With luck !) I'm father of five; you, too ?? You allow Obama less than one-third that time, thus denying Constitutional citizen responsibility to support the overwhelming majority, set by VOTE Nov. 4 --as well as very human debt owed to new leader. You two supply only personal feeling, no national source data, documentation, details, and no pragmatic "other way"; only cavil, complaint, common misconceptions from constant "noise machine" distortion for decades. $$ are not the ONLY means for perverted policies. Do you deny desperate dirty impacts of noise machine ?? World changes require slow process for many millions. Century of behavior research proves essential steps,demands pragmatic view of realities as well as mature patience vs childish impatience. See TIME 4/13 "How Obama Is Using The Science of Change." Happens my 60 working years devoted to working with some of same major points, now applied pragmatically in economics, in education, media and communications. Thank you for proof of Op Ed points precisely by continuing your premature evaluation of complex policies-actions sure to demand time to complete for any meaningful and measurable impacts, both nationally and internationally -- as G-20 Conference has just proven. See upcoming Op Ed for more, soon. Essential documentation from nearly 50 sources available by ID to Editor with name,address and phone, as LMA service. OR seek your own from many reputable Internet sources and flood of current authoritative books.

Anonymous April 7, 2009 4:35 pm (Pacific time)

democracy only demands one thing. Who has the most money will convince by buying the media, or force thru police actions because they have the money to pay for them, to follow thru on their agenda. That is democracy. And that is all they demand. As mentioned by those who run things: give me the money and I dont care who you elect. wake up people. We are now 12.8 trillion dollars in debt just in the last 6 months. Sorry, but the condem wrappers are on the floor, and my rear end is not feeling so well. :-)

Vic April 7, 2009 9:18 am (Pacific time)

"those who did not hear the voice of our people on Nov. 4" Do you mean Obama, who is on the news today telling troops in Iraq that "the next 18 months are going to be crucial times for US troops in Iraq"....EIGHTEEN MONTHS? Didnt he get elected on a platform of ending the war?? We have been duped and lied to once again, and Henry my friend, I wonder how many years of continued war will go by before you are willing to realize that about all that has changed is the name of the president. Ive seen this bait and switch all my life and you have been around longer than me. The powers that be know that no matter what they do, no matter what they said they would do, no matter how many trillions of dollars they steal in broad daylight...we are going to do nothing. We will bitch and moan and maybe even march around (with a permit, of course), but in reality, we will not offer any meaningful resistance. Those who do will be made an example of. We are like sheep grazing right outside the slaughterhouse..we know what is going on,and we really plan on doing something, but right now there is grass to eat, and we dont want to draw attention to ourselves, lest we be the next sheep to be led to slaughter. Tough times demand tough decisions.

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Op Ed: 'WE THE PEOPLE'
Shape Leadership
By HOW We Follow

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