Accountability and Change

I cannot apologize for being rather conservative. Yet, in this initial post, I will assure you that as an analytic thinker, I will attempt to communicate ideas based on logic and fact, not emotion and blind ideology. In this, the most socially charged election year in recent history, it is vital that we strive for equilibrium between feeling and thoughtfulness.

This year’s political process (like many before) has hijacked a word from the English lexicon to advance two opposing platforms. The word (I shudder to say it) is “change.” And regardless of your party affiliation, your degree of political bias or your disgust with abuses that have compromised the intent of our founding fathers, CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. It is amusing to me that multiple parties and candidates are claiming exclusive license to a concept that will manifest in spite of the process.

Our challenge, if we are to cultivate a more robust, and unified nation is how we—not just elected officials—respond to change. Political figures have become practiced illusionists that have perfected the graceful hand movements that magicians use to misdirect an audience from the deception of the trick. When we—the paying audience—focus on the misdirection, then “ooo” and “aaaah” with amazement, we prove ourselves to be a gullible electorate. The “Look, I’ve got your nose” gag may work for us again in just a few decades.

It is vital that we each claim exclusive license to the word “accountability.” It’s true that we must consistently communicate our expectations to every nominee in our republic. It’s true that we must maintain vigilance (well beyond election years) and encourage behaviors that benefit our society, and not just special interest. It’s true that we must forewarn of consequences for even the slightest betrayals, and enforce the penalties equitably, regardless of our affiliation with those who breach our trust. But there’s another level to your exclusive license to the word “accountability.”

Each legal citizen and immigrant who is seeking formal naturalization must develop a renewed sense of personal responsibility for the success of our communities and nation. The “I’m just in it for my ideals” mentality has been proven a failure. The “It’s the other party’s fault” assumption is evidence of blind allegiance. No national failure, disgrace, limitation, or success is the result of one person, one party, or one elected term. Only when we recognize our accountability for making the process, the economy and the advancement of all people a priority will we begin to make progress towards consistent innovation, integrity, trust and character.

To cultivate a compassionate society, it is essential that we consider how our political, economic and social decisions will impact the good of the many, without overlooking the underserved. Yet the betrayal of common reason and the advancement of “feel-good” solutions (by conservatives and liberals) seldom have meaningful, lasting benefits that outweigh the rational consequences of our quick-fix. I will encourage you to seek (like a personal quest) ways to cultivate your commitment to the success of others, and the cooperation (and accountability) among our elected officials. Everything we’ve tried (and most of what we’ve proposed) isn’t working, so we must prepare for increased accountability in the change that is ahead.