The President is a leader, not a policy maker.
While they do influence policy, the President cannot pass laws. Executive orders can be challenged in court. Congress must approve the federal budget. Military actions often need congressional authorization. Treaties require Senate approval. The President can appoint Cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors who can shape policy, but they also require Senate confirmation.
The President's job is to set a positive example and inspire people by building trust, charting the course, and communicating a clear vision. They can only get stuff done through other people who are smarter than them. To be effective, they need to be a Multiplier.
Additionally, moral and ethical leaders also treat everyone with dignity and respect. They are honest and transparent in their actions and decisions. They hold themselves accountable for their actions and their impact on others.
🤔 Would you want your son to follow Trump’s example of what it means to be a man?
🤔 Would you want your daughter to follow Harris’ example?
How about Elon Musk?
As the world's richest person, CEO of 3 large companies, and the founder of others, Musk is arguably the most effective BUSINESS leader of our time. But it appears that his business success has come with a huge personal cost. He doesn't live with any of his 12 children, or their 3 mothers, and his sometimes-erratic behavior has raised concerns about his mental health. Would you want that for your son or daughter?
Being the President of the United States is a much bigger and broader job than running a business. Businesses have a single goal: maximize shareholder value. They don't (or shouldn't at least) play a role in politics. The US President, however, not only has to lead the 3 million people on the federal payroll. They also serve as the de facto "Chief Influencer" for every man, woman, and child in today's social media world.
You may have concerns about both Harris and Trump. But remember "Perfect" is not on the ballot. Personally, I give people the of the doubt until they prove me wrong. But when someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Imagine if we could VOTE for people who…
🙋♂️ Demonstrate personal integrity and willingness to put the nation's interests above their own
🙋♂️ Are dedicated to the common good for everyone in the country
🙋♂️ Respect diverse perspectives… who want to negotiate, compromise, and collaborate to…
🙋♂️ Deliver results
We can. (keep reading)
Our founding fathers chose to form a Democratic Republic, not a true Democracy where laws and policies are made directly by the voting majority, because we, as "laypeople," do not have the same specialized knowledge or access to information as the professionals. That's why the first core competency of leadership is to Earn Trust. We have to trust that they are at trying to do what's in everyone's best interest.
But…
Our founding fathers warned us about the peril of political parties. The Constitution makes no mention of political parties. They are not necessary. Alexander Hamilton called parties “the most fatal disease.” George Washington warned that political factions would lead to a “frightful despotism.”
I had to look up the word, “despotism”. 🤷♂️ It means, “the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.” Synonyms include tyranny, dictatorship, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism.
That’s exactly why we broke free from Britain to create America in the first place.
Despite their warning, our two-party system has endured because politicians were allowed to put structural barriers in place to favor their established parties. Campaign financing, ballot access laws, winner-take-all electoral system, and debate rules, for example, make it difficult for independents or other parties to compete effectively.
It’s a unique time in American politics. Historically, two strong parties each represented about 40 percent of the electorate. Campaigns and parties would then work to persuade the 20 percent in the middle. But now...
At 42%, Independents are the largest political “party” in the US
Many Independents lean “Center Left” or “Center Right.” But at the end of the day, everyone is forced to vote left or right. “Center” is not on the ballot. (Neither is “Perfect” by the way) We are virtually forced to vote for the Republican or Democrat who we believe is most electable.
Our current two-party system causes honest and ethical people to vote for politicians who are, well, neither. Why? Because they default to the candidate who is associated with the brand of politics they most identify with. For that reason...
Billions of dollars are now spent on branding during each election cycle. Yes, branding. It’s all marketing.
Kamala Harris' campaign alone has raised $1 billion to promote the Democratic brand story of universal wellbeing (eg, healthcare, education, and income), embracing diversity, and progressive change.
Donald Trump has won over followers because of his branding and marketing skills. His brand is now stronger than the traditional Republican brand (ie, limited government, economic conservatism, strong national defense).
Without the two-party system…
🤔 Would Trump have succeeded as a politician?
🤔 Would Harris be the Democratic candidate?
Michael Adams, Kentucky’s secretary of state, said, "I’m not a moderate. I’m a conservative, but it’s tough if you’re not perceived as a far-right or far-left candidate or leader. If you’re not pure enough for your side, you get a lack of support or hate from your side. Then you get no love from the other side for being willing to break bread and to try to work out a compromise. You’re on a political island."
👉 What if our political system allowed for more than two parties?
👉👉 What if there was a third, “Independent” party?
👉👉👉 What if there were NO political parties?
I’m not naive enough to believe we’ll see any of this change in our country any time soon. Our two-party system continues to endure because the very people who CAN change it are exactly the ones who don’t want to.
We may be stuck with the two-party system (for now), but we can still vote independently.
Your votes for the House, the Senate, and your state officials may be more consequential than your vote for President. You can vote for leaders on both sides of the aisle, at all levels, who demonstrate personal integrity, a willingness to put the nation's interests above their own, and who will reach across the aisle to negotiate, compromise, and collaborate on important issues.
That’s their job. To deliver results.
All this other childish nonsense doesn’t do anyone any good.