A Tale of Two Revolutionaries

This past weekend, the world witnessed the deaths of two very different men: Vaclav Havel and Kim Jong-il. Kim inherited a throne of tyrannical revolution from his Communist dictator father. Havel ushered in a peaceful democratic revolution against the forces of Soviet-influenced Communism in his native Czechoslovakia. Kim perpetuated the stark oppression of his people, and his inhumane crimes are widely recognized and demonized. Havel was an intellectual, playwright and activist/dissident who became the first president of Czechoslovakia, and then the Czech Republic.

I find it delightfully providential that these two men would leave this earth within one day of each other. Their beliefs, actions and legacies could not be more antithetical. This occurrence serves as a prodigious reminder that the gift of freedom is precious. There truly are forces of good and evil at work in this world. It is our solemn obligation, as human beings, to condemn and combat those who enslave while embracing and empowering those who liberate.

I recommend that you take the time to read Havel's essay "The Power of the Powerless", which you can find on his website here. (Note: the translated version contains some spelling errors). This famous manifesto begins with the memorable words "A specter is haunting Eastern Europe", which perhaps you recognize.

However, I'd like to share some compelling excerpts of that essay, written in 1978, eleven years before the Velvet Revolution which overthrew the Communist regime:

"If the main pillar of the system is living a lie, then it is not surprising that the fundamental threat to it is living the truth. This is why it must be suppressed more severely than anything else."

"The profound crisis of human identity brought on by living within a lie, a crisis which in turn makes such a life possible, certainly possesses a moral dimension as well; it appears, among other things, as a deep moral crisis in society. A person who has been seduced by the consumer value system, whose identity is dissolved in an amalgam of the accoutrements of mass civilization, and who has no roots in the order of being, no sense of responsibility for anything higher than his own personal survival, is a demoralized person... Living within the truth, as humanity's revolt against an enforced position, is, on the contrary, an attempt to regain control over one's own sense of responsibility." 

"For the real question is whether the brighter future is really always so distant. What if, on the contrary, it has been here for a long time already, and only our own blindness and weakness has prevented us from seeing it around us and within us, and kept us from developing it?"

The Problem with Today's Leaders

I typically don't like to stick my neck out and embrace the RINO label, but the past 3 years have been extremely difficult for moderate Republicans. The Tea Party has hijacked the conversation and elevated Republican candidates (nationally and locally) that subscribe to an anti-intellectual ethos. Being well-educated and well-read does not imply liberalism, and I think that every moderate conservative must start pushing back.

There is a strong history of informed conservatism rooted in respect for intellectualism. Past leaders that fit this mold include Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, among many others. Believe what you will of their accomplishments and mistakes, but they did not systematically capitulate to the lowest common denominator.

Just take a look at the current race for the Republican nomination. Herman Cain's poor grasp of geography, Rick Perry's lack of understanding of federal agencies, and Michelle Bachmann's limited knowledge of history should scare us all. They rely on demagoguery to inspire support.

Thomas Jefferson once said: "A great planter descended from a line of great planters, if he is a boob, has no place in the leadership of government, whereas the humblest farmer, if he is naturally endowed with virtue and talent, may become a great legislator." (I'm not making this up, he actually wrote it.)

Can we have a WTF moment and reflect upon the ascension of Newt Gingrich to the front of the Republican pack? Here is a man who, although he has a deeper knowledge of issues and policy than many of the other candidates, is nothing more than a morally-aberrant sleazeball. His transgressions are numerous and well-publicized. He carried on an extra-marital affair while doggedly prosecuting Bill Clinton for the same iniquity. Eighty-four ethics charges were filed against him during his time as speaker. After leaving Congress, Gingrich accepted millions of dollars for unregistered lobbying on behalf of Freddie Mac. The PACs that support him are funded by casino magnates. However, he has found success in the polls, like others, by embracing the ultra-conservative fear mongering which is in vogue. And scores of undiscerning Americans have been suckered in.

The two more moderate candidates, Romney and Huntsman, have failed to capture much fervent support. Romney has been inconsistent with his positions, trying to spin his moderate record as Governor of Massachusetts and reinvent himself. Huntsman does not hold the same social convictions as the party base and refuses to engage in vitriolic attacks that magnetize the conservative faithful who are enraged with President Obama. In my esteem, these men are not the most inspiring leaders, but they appear far more trustworthy and level-headed than the other candidates. However, there is a major dearth of talent from which to choose.

I lament the disappearance of the principled and cerebral leaders of yore such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. These were Renaissance men. Many of them were military leaders, lawyers, authors, farmers, architects, businessmen, and inventors all rolled into one. They valued education and intellectual pursuits on their path to self-improvement. That caliber of character is missing from most political leaders, and those that possess it are marginalized. It is no longer advatageous to be a man (or woman) of noble pursuits. These leaders are too intimidated by the media, the lobbying system, or the partisan political process to seek higher office.

Today's Republican leaders attack spending plans on infrastructure and investments in alternative energy because they steadfastly want to reduce the federal debt. Deficit reduction is an admirable goal, but hardly anyone actually attempts to bird-dog anything more than minor cuts to federal spending that pander to a certain segment of their constituency. Most are unwilling to touch entitlements, which are the real looming hazards. Also, they have an extremely short memory. Many of the current crop of leaders have been in positions of power for the last few decades, during which they shaped regulations, taxes, and spending policies that have directly caused many of today's economic issues.

Conservative commentator David Frum opines: "Rather than workable solutions, my party is offering low taxes for the currently rich and high spending for the currently old, to be followed by who-knows-what and who-the-hell-cares. This isn’t conservatism; it’s a going-out-of-business sale for the baby-boom generation."

In order to ensure a competently managed nation and society, we must be cultivating the next generation of leaders who value intellectual enrichment and are versed in the art of compromise. Let us shape ourselves after the inspirational and multifaceted leaders of the past, because there are few models worthy of imitation these days.

Community Building

Here is a great article from PlaceShakers on how community organizations and connectivity have declined and how we must rebuild them. Community connections are directly affected by the pattern of our physical growth. Sprawl has contributed to a breakdown of our community strength because it distances us and isolates us in our daily activities. There are a lot of other disciplines which observe that a breakdown in community connectivity has created problems with poverty, education, family, faith, etc. In my opinion, it is foolish not to recognize that the physical manner in which we build our communities has an effect on these aspects of society.