Last week I had a tough conversation with a leader in my church. It was tough because of the subject matter, as we disagree on a way to solve a current challenge. It was not tough in the way we related. It was not tough because there was a lack of respect. It was not tough in our means nor manner of communicating; neither of us worked to rally more to our side. Respect trumped rhetoric.
Last week we witnessed our government’s leaders do exactly the opposite. We watched way too many seemingly smart people employ rhetoric and disrespect, and work more to rally others to their side. Friends, political affiliation did not — and sadly, does not — matter.
Once again, our federal government has spent the maximum amount of money it is legally allowed to borrow. They have maxed out their credit cards, so-to-speak. Funny, but regardless of party, the majority always wants to spend more; and regardless of party, the minority always desires to spend less. Such is evidenced in the following, amazingly insightful comment:
“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies.”
The above quote is from Barack Obama, when he was a senator — and voted against raising the debt ceiling.
Nonetheless, as President, Obama and others now desire more freedom to spend. This is a tough conversation. But the Intramuralist would propose that asking to increase our credit limit is not primarily tough because of subject matter; it’s tough because of how leadership feels justified in communicating…
“If you go to the 1940s, Nazi Germany. Look, we saw in Britain, Neville Chamberlain, who told the British people, ‘Accept the Nazis. Yes, they’ll dominate the continent of Europe but that’s not our problem. Let’s appease them.’” — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), comparing Nazi Germany to not standing up to debt and Obamacare
“The reason Ted Cruz stood up and asked for a delay is so that he could have a vote during today when the ‘tea baggers’ in his Tea Party were going to watch.” — Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
”We are for cutting spending. We are for reforming out tax codes, reforming out entitlements. What we’re not for is negotiating with people with a bomb strapped to their chest.” — White House Senior Adviser Dan Pfeiffer
Or the other phrases utilized… “political terrorism” by Al Gore… “tea party anarchists” and “stupid” by Harry Reid… “legislative arsonists” by Nancy Pelosi… “holding hostage” by multiple Republicans and Democrats… “raping the American people” by television commentator Tamara Holder… even “blackmail” by Obama.
My point is this… this conversation is going to remain tough because our leaders have allowed rhetoric to trump respect. They chide instead of humbly communicate and consider; they insult instead of respect and submit. We can’t keep spending more then we take in, but we also can’t tackle the problem when our leaders continue to stand in front of the cameras and work most to rally others to their side. They should instead be meeting one-on-one, face-to-face, listening and submitting to one another, resisting the cameras and campaign stops… just as I did with the leader in my church last week.
In my meeting, I will share that we did not end by agreeing on a singular solution and then living happily ever after. But we heard one another; we each felt respected. We vowed to work together, listen, and go forward together, recognizing that we are on the same team. Our leaders need to do the same. In fact, with their generous use of disrespect, perhaps they would first benefit by going back to church.
Respectfully,
AR