At this point in Nigeria’s history, however, we can no longer absolve ourselves of the responsibility for our present condition. Corruption is endemic because we have had a complete failure of leadership in Nigeria that has made corruption easy and profitable. It will be controlled when Nigerians put in place checks and balances that will make corruption “inconvenient” – with appropriate jail sentences and penalties to punish those that steal from the state.

A few observations from this: (1) a complete failure of leadership’ that is 40-60 years old is not unique to Nigeria. In the US, we have had decades of stagnation in black leadership since the early ’70s. Spotty public leaders in a civic/public realm, most of whom flamed out. Globally, there was 30 years of constant-Hosni in Egypt until the Arab Spring touched down in Tahrir Square. (2) blaming others is a form of giving our own power away, and trying to assign responsibility for our individual lives, our families, communities and nations onto another. We perpetuate imbalance of power by diminishing our selves in the face of the history and legacy of colonialism, corruption. (3)
(4) there are ample checks + balances on our law books, yet they lack enforcement. We have not arisen to muster new political will. Instead, acquiescence has fostered a since of skirting rules, and allowing many insiders to remain above the law. This is true in Nigeria, and it is true inside the Beltway.

He goes on to say that during the “first republic”:

[political leaders] now appear almost “saint like” – they were well educated, grounded politicians who may have embodied a flawed vision or outlook for the country (in my opinion); but at least had one.

So, a starting place for decent political leader are: (1) informed and educated, (2) grounded, aka accountable and of the people as opposed to removed from the people, and (3) having a vision or outlook.

What does it suggest to say “vision” or “outlook” rather than “plan”? Immediately, I notice that plan suggests a written document. Vision conjures ideas of what is inspiring, where we are heading collectively. An outlook is a sense of direction that has incorporated some data based on what is happening in the real world.

***

Therefore, to retake the term politician, some of what is needed will include:

1. being informed, and educated on the issues,
2. having connections to the people, the electorate, the masses,
   (rather that mistrusting, disliking or being annoyed with people)
3. a vision/outlook

“significant public investments in three areas that help countries create and retain high-wage jobs — infrastructure, the skills and training of the work force, and research and development. The federal government is underinvesting in all three areas; together they account for less than 10 percent of all federal spending. At the same time, the rate on 10-year Treasuries is at a historic low.”

www.thousandhillscatteco.com
www.ruralec.org
www.LorenzMeats.com
www.shadefund.org
Farm Credit Administration – 60 day open period
www.rafiusa.org – Farmer Lender project report
www.landstewardshipproject.org
www.ib5k.com

There are many stories, observations and opinions that can be made. The beauty of blogs is that I can have mine, and publish them. All by myself. (all those letters to the editor, be damned! even if i only wrote 4)

Here is what I notice:

First, Democrats in Colorado can win on a largely positive message. Hancock is the 2nd executive in the last 8 months (Gov. Hick being the first in the Fall 2010 election cycle) to run a campaign largely on a positive tip. We are eight years into the Global War on Terror (or whatever the Obama Administration is calling it), and endless time horizons in Iraq and Afghanistan. Coupled with the economic malaise that has drowned the shrinking middle class, mortgages and state coffers since the capital markets, I wonder if the electorate — in my homestate, at least — is fatigued from the mudslinging politics of the previous four decades.
I could also argue that Hickenlooper was helped by having an incompetent GOP challenger, and a rabid third-party as his competition. And yes, Chris Romer stumbled in a variety of ways. Yet, they won with hopeful campaigns. That is a welcome ground shift from the decades on the shores of the politics of fear.

The second noticing is what I saw in looking at the City’s unofficial pdf map of voting returns (timed at 11:30 local time on election night). After the first round of on May 3, the daily paper described 6th Avenue as teh dividing line: North Denver for Hancock, South Denver for Romer.

Well, the unofficial map shows it clearly — the southeast went heavily for Denver. Turns out that the Romer campaign’s far eastern flank (if there ever was one) collapsed over the last month. But, it wasn’t just that but a slew of snipy, nasty quotes that nixed his campaign in the four weeks from the general election to the run off.

As a Colorado resident registered in a  rural Colorado county, I am much relieved that our next mayor will is built upon the hopey and changey stuff of the victor, rather than the ugly politics of the defeated.

Lastly, for the sake of democracy, I am quite relieved that Denver didn’t catapult another legacy politician into office. Between the Clintons, Bushes, Kennedys and dozens of others at the municipal and state levels, we have more than enough children of politicians who are voted into office.

The speech was pretty good, even for the higher standards of an Obama speech. But, now the OFA/DNC mess is gonna go off and commodify it? As en.wiktionary.org defines it:

commodify: To make something into a commodity, sometimes at the expense of its intrinsic value.

Today’s email message from the campaign/political operation, Organizing for America, has a corny subject heading. It states: ‘What does your t-shirt say?‘

Really, OFA? Really?
What staffer came up with that plug? They need to be disciplined and taken off of email blast duty.

Once the candidate becomes commander-in-chief, you ought not translate a speech to the joint session of Congress as no different from a Poison concert tee. The first OFA tee of 2011 reads, “We Do Big Things.” All for a $25 contribution to the DNC/OFA. Before long, they may be hawking Obama gear on QVC or Home Shopping Network.

Let  your actions speak. Speaker louder than words, or drab email blasts. Lead by example. Distinguish yourself by breaking away from the hot-air, product-pushing norms that have bogged down both parties in our entrenched 2-party system.

And in the intense crucible of political punditry, get advisors and talking heads who can convey messages of change. Put an end to the bickering with Rush Limbaugh or Speaker Boehner. Rather than riffing the POTUS’ sound-byte into a fundraising t-shirt. Go get financial contributions by demonstrating why people should support the DNC.

I get that this is America, land of capitalism and hustle. But, have you no decency?

1. Ease up on the hyperbole. Rather than referring to the apocolypse, why dont the writers go call a ew more sources, or dig into a few other details at the perimeter of the story. Looking back at Rhee’s own high school education, social circles. Or get a quote from some of the leadership team that reported to her. Preferably, a quote with a name attached to it, but considering how promiscuous anonymous quotes are these days in news articles, even that would do.
2. Answer some basic — 4WH: who, what, where, why and how — questions: what is Rhee doing? or what are some of the GOP governors asking of her? how is she translating her D.C. lessons into her new endeavor, StudentsFirst?

Here is what politico offers:

Rhee, 41, has pivoted hard and emerged, ironically enough, as a national political force to be reckoned with.

She’s an important voice among centrist Democrats — led by President Barack Obama — who are pushing a new agenda of teacher quality and high standards in education. She’s an adviser to some of the nation’s most ambitious Republican governors, like Florida’s Rick Scott, New Jersey’s Chris Christie and Indiana’s Mitch Daniels, who envision a more apocalyptic confrontation with teachers unions.

she plans to assist local prosecutors around the state as they fight gang violence, environmental violations, mortgage fraud and high-tech crime such as identity theft.

Progressive States Network‘s multi-state, -issue agenda.

Paul Begala on Jobs Jobs Jobs + anti- corruption.

Bhargava + LaMarche in the Nation.

As it was in 1932, when Justice Louis Brandeis referred to them as “laboratories of democracy,” states are still producing the most innovative and progressive ideas. And as long as progressive reformers—like Wayne State University law professor Jocelyn Benson, a national advocate on election issues, and Arizona legislator Chris Deschene, a member of the Navajo Nation who made a name for himself battling the disenfranchisement of rural voters—keep entering and winning races for secretary of state, Mark Ritchie will be proven right when he says, “No matter what happens in Washington, we can make sure that democracy starts in the states.” (emphasis added)

Also, worthy big picture progressive agendas for the states are at PSN and thenation.com.