John Adams could just as easily have been talking about today when he wrote in 1776 of his fears that the Continental Congress' decisions would be dictated "by noise, not sense; by meanness, not greatness; by ignorance, not learning; by contracted hearts, not large souls."Will our leaders today be able to rise above all the noise and put aside the meanness to achieve something great? To reach a meaningful commonality of political compromise for the good of the people?
His conclusion is as appropriate today as it was then: "There must be decency and respect and veneration introduced for persons of authority of every rank or we are undone. In a popular government, this is our only way."
Don't we really want the kind of leaders who can instill pride in the people? Leaders who can foster a sense of agreement that will benefit all parties? Can those leaders, as Jim Toedtman states, "rediscover that proven formula of sense, greatness and learning?"
I am all for peaceful coexistence and meaningful compromises for the good of all. And, I definitely put myself on the side of "greatness not meanness."
2 comments:
Isn't that the truth! Meanness and pettiness has overtaken so much of our lives and it is ruining everything.
Margaret, so true ... so true! Obviously, we have all seen the blatant political attack ads on TV. So much meanness and pettiness that creeps insidiously into everything. What can we as ordinary citizens and peeps do about it? Just say NO!
Post a Comment