Author's note: I've really missed writing on here. Steemit is not just a useful platform but a great inspiration to write as much as possible. I am hoping to write more again on here in the coming days and weeks as I have missed it. One of the things I miss the most is that Steemit seems to be a place for alternative, non-binary views. Social media and the media in general have killed nuance in daily conversation and that is tragic. We need to promote discourse that is based on rational thought and logic. Anyways, I am glad to be back at am happy to try to do my part.
Do you ever have a feeling about something that has been eating away at you where you know the line was crossed long ago but now something has happened that seems to have taken the line crossing to a whole new level? That is the feeling I have been having watching the evolving story of Brett Kavanaugh and his slow, painful confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. I could write for hours about the court and the other legal aspects of this matter but I think these topics are being beaten to death and distorted to the point that no one really wants to hear about them. What I want to talk about is the confirmation that this process provides that politics have overrun governance once and for all and there is no longer even a credible facade of dignity in those who practice this wicked art.
What do I mean by the above? Well, "politics" can be defined as follows (credit Google) "the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power." (Emphasis added). When we think about government and politics, we tend to assume they go hand-in-hand. However, when you consider the second part of the above definition and those "having or hoping to achieve power" it is hard to ignore the idea that politics now substitutes for real government among elected officials and even bureaucrats. The pursuit of power and the preservation of power are the most prominent feature of almost every political figure in the limelight these days. It is exceedingly rare to see simple good governance on display in the realm of elected officialdom. If you want to be reminded of what good governance looks like, you would probably need to visit the boardroom of a well-run not-for-profit or a well-run and ethical corporation.
Here's the thing about politics, they are kind of like milk, fiat currencies and old school baseball coaches. They have a shelf life! If politics become dominant in the life of a government, that governing body will likely not survive indefinitely and will probably end up needing some sort of a painful reset to survive at all. I'll leave it to another piece or better yet another author to comment on why the reaction to Kavanaugh's nomination has been so utterly visceral but I will opine that politics are what have allowed for the absolutely unethical circus that has unfolded. Even the infrequent calls for order and civility that were mixed in with all of the grandstanding by various senators on the Judiciary Committee was really just political grandstanding. No one actually followed through to prove that they were committed to doing the right thing in the face of political pressure. [Note: For those who are curious, I could care less about Brett Kavanaugh or any of the other current Justices of the Supreme Court. I only ask that a judge be authentic, eminently competent and ethical. Law's are not that hard to read and interpret if that is the case].
If you've made it this far, you are probably wondering if I am going to make a point. Simply put, the point is that we all need to start demanding more governance and less politics from our leaders in government and elsewhere in society. I cannot imagine politicking being eradicated from the landscape but I do think it could be greatly marginalized by an effort to govern well. If we did, we could avoid situations such as:
- Senators walking out of a committee vote in protest rather than remaining to cast a vote like they are getting paid to do;
- Committee chairs attempting to ram through processes to maintain the upper hand rather than confronting dissenters head-on for a meaningful dialogue.
3.Hysterics over the need to open a new FBI investigation when not a single individual calling for it has indicated that the results might be able to impact his/her vote.
I think any reasonable person in any jurisdiction would be satisfied with an elected representative if the office-holder passionately advocated for his/her constituents, raised appropriate issues for debate and made solid, ethical decisions based on the principles of good governance. One way to do this would be to approach electing officials in a manner that applies the same rigor on the part of the voters. This doesn't mean you should side with the incumbent in all cases or always assume someone else would do a better job. But if you are able to make a solid decision each and every time and know your fellow decisions are going to do the same, you will probably like the results. If you are swayed by a "dossier" or other shiny objects, chances are you will be frightened by the results over time.
2016 Presidential Election Recap
Donald: Brash, poorly spoken, inaccurate, combative, insulting but convicted.
Hillary: Gender and identity politics, insulting voters to win over other voters, dishonest to a fault, chameleon.
Voters: Confused as hell and disappointed at the results.
Result: Donald wins on the anti-incumbent vote and a strong belief in many voters that he stands for something more than what he said on the campaign trail. Hillary continues to try to undermine the results. Voters lose.
Maybe Kavanaugh is the wrong person for the job. But if the vote is 51-49 along partisan lines or if the vote is delayed until after the midterms, we will all know that Kavanaugh lost and politics won again. And that is going to leave quite the odor.
I would love to see more discussion around how to get back to governance and away from politics. #governancefirst
CW