We hear a lot today about "American Values" and "Family Values". Our National leaders spout the platitudes daily and expect us to live some sort of 1950's life style as they go out and abuse drugs or misbehave in some other way. So, why do we accept them?
I'm not just speaking of The President. I'm speaking of all levels of Government and all sorts of leaders. Dare I use the term "Role Models." Do we even have role models in the public any more? It seems to me that the idea of a role model is becoming a memory in our country.
I remember, many years ago; the professional basketball player: Charles Barkley was publicly misbehaving. During an interview, the host called him to account for his misdeeds. During the interviewer's challenge of this "Hero's" conduct, he was referred to as a "Role Model." Barkley balked at this notion. He said that he is "just" a basketball player and never asked to be any type of role model. Well, at least Charles was honest.
Politicians and clergy make great speeches about following an example and expect us to listen. How can we? They don't live by their own words. As a matter of fact, they don't even know what their own words are. They have staffs who write their speeches for them and "Spin Doctors" to perform damage control when they do go "off script"and speak what they really think.
While I was watching the history of November 1963 unfold this past weekend, there was one program that talked about each President since JFK and how one life and death affected the future Presidents. I was intrigued by the comparisons of Richard M. Nixon.
Mr. Nixon was a good friend of John Kennedy's when they served together in the U. S. Senate. Political animosity grew during the 1960 Presidential campaign. As we all know, Mr. Nixon's Administration ended in resignation on August 9, 1974. The great Watergate scandal had felled a President. The interesting thing is this. Historians agree that Mr. Nixon did just the same thing that his predecessors in the oval office had done. He was not the first President to "abuse" his power.
Now, through the glass of history, we can look back and forgive Mr. Nixon and state as many historians have that he was a good President especially in the area of foreign policy. But, we can also agree that he was not what you might call a man of "Character." He did what was good for him and advanced his position. I guess that's politics.
But, if we agree that politics is a dirty business and these "dirty tricks" happen, why do we hold our politicians as role models?
President Clinton was unfaithful to his spouse. Is that the kind of role model we want for your children? Probably not. So, we have to ask the question again: Where do we find our role models?
Here's an idea! Let's look for our role models in our homes. If the politicians want us to live by some 1950's model of American life, let's give them what they ask for. Get your values from home. You learned good value systems when you were growing up and your primary role models were probably your mother and father. If one or both of those people are missing as role models, there are certainly ways you, yourself can set an example for others to follow. You can become a role model for others.
Just imagine that! You, yourself, becoming a role model for others. You don't have to vote for "Hope and Change" any more. You don't have to wait for a politician or some other phony to tell you how you should act. You already know and you become a role model for others around you. Suddenly, your children can come to you with problems because they know you will do the right thing. You will gain the respect of your co-workers and friends. All you have to do is think outside yourself.
When President Kennedy said "Ask not what your Country can do for you..." his words still have a powerful meaning today. He was talking about setting an example for the entire world. Imagine being a role model for the entire world. It's not as hard as you may think.
If you are unsure how to achieve this, here is a tip. Think back to your early schooling. Remember when you were told to do the right thing. Stand up, do the right thing. Don't worry about if anyone sees you. You are not doing the right thing for recognition or fame. Do it because it is the right thing to do. It's not always easy. In fact, it's very difficult at times, but in the end you will find that it is worth the effort.
I know many people who did not live their lives by the idea of doing the right thing. Instead, they did what was best for themselves. For sure, many of these people had some sort of wealth in material things but they were destitute in a much more important way. Decades after they had become dust, no one who knew them had anything good to say. These people, who lived just for themselves and took from everyone around them left no legacy at all, except one. Shame.
Yet the materially poor man lived an honest life and was modest in his means. He never failed to do the right thing. He thought of others in everything that he did. Thousands paid their respects at his passing and decades later, the mere thought of him would bring a smile to those who knew him or even those who had just heard of him. You see, if you think of others, you have riches beyond those you can hold in your hand. That legacy can not even be purchased and is something the selfish can not understand. Look in the mirror. That humble person who tries to do the right thing is within each of us.
But, you all have heard this before. In the service, we call this "Core Values". That's for another day. I will tell you this. If you look in that mirror and think hard (not to hard, it's dangerous) you will realize that you too, have a set of core values. You don't need a politician to tell you what they are.
As always...
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