(It’s not even 2008 yet, and next year’s election already looms large. Here’s what I would love to hear from a candidate… here’s what I would hope to have the courage to say if I were running for public office:)

No government can stand unless it commands the respect of the people. No law can stand unless government also commands the trust of the people.

I’m for a return of respect and trust, in government and in society. I’m for a society in which one can expect basic kindness from his neighbor. I am for taking strong action against that which threatens to pull us backward.

I am for education. I am for the eradication of ignorance, the end of intolerance, and the abolition of injustice. We must educate ourselves, protect our literacy, our math, our science, and our analytical abilities. We need to know our history. The global issues of today—the butchery of radical Islam, the awakening of awesome China, the genocides and endless diseases, the corruption of business and politics—these all have historical precedence. We needn’t cross our fingers and hope, there are real solutions to be found in history.

I believe in taking personal responsibility. I believe our “Don’t hate the playa, hate the game” mentality is far more dangerous than any outside attack we might suffer, because it represents a rot forming at our core. When the spirit of the game is broken, it is always the player who is responsible. It is time to bring integrity back to the court.

I am for protecting what was magical about childhood, even at the expense of our peace of mind as adults.

I am for laws that make sense, and that are not a knee-jerk responses to emotionally charged but ultimately non-value added sentiments.

I am for a strong press that debates issues instead of spin. I am for the criminalization of political disinformation campaigns.

I will declare war on fear.

I see a world in our future that is devoid of blind hatred, blind ambition, even blind faith. To be clear, hatred, ambition, and faith will continue to exist—they must. They are human qualities with a rightful place in a complex and beautiful society, providing balance to love, humility, and reason. In my future world, we will understand what we are getting into and we accept the consequences of our actions ahead of time. We will not be blind.

I see a tough road forward. To bring out the best in humanity, we’ll have to meet its worst head on. In so doing, we’ll have to deal with the inadequacies of our current moral code.

We have, on average, fewer than eighty years on this earth. For those of you who ever dreamed of making the world a better place, I want your vote, and then I want your best. Nothing less will do.

Posted under Personal, Leadership, Current Trends