Don't discount us gray beards

Don't discount us gray beards.  There is still a lot of energy and interest in serving our nation in the hearts of these guys.  Periodically, in a variety of forums and at disjointed events, I hang out with military veteran gray beards.  As a group, we shouldn't be discounted.  Whether it is a group of Patriot Guard Riders standing a flag line at the funeral for a fallen member of our military' three comrades conversing over breakfast on a Saturday morning; former commanding officer and staff officer chatting over lunch (after some time on the tennis court); or two random vets (one drafted to serve in the Army in Vietnam and one a career Marine) discussing the Syria situation and national level politics, this collective group cares passionately about our country.

Surely some shared experiences form the foundation upon which the relationships are built, and even serve as the source of the humorous anecdotes.  But at the core is the unyielding love for our country and an associated gut wrenching concern for what is happening.  

Lest one assume all the comments are from the perspective of a "vast right wing conspiracy" hyped by progressives, many of the views are liberal (by my definition).  Across this spectrum of political and social gray beard views, there are numerous views:

• The President and Congress must adhere to the Constitution, which they are failing to do.
• The nation owes its unwavering support to the men and women who volunteer to serve in the Armed Forces, including while they are active duty, veterans, and retired.
• The various levels of government cannot spend more than they bring in.
• Welfare is for the truly needy; not those who can work.
• Free speech applies on college and university campuses, regardless of points of view.
• Individual accountability and responsibility are missing throughout society.
• Political campaigns should be funded by taxes, with each valid candidate receiving the identical amount of funding support, no more and no less, and may only campaign during a set period. 
• Parents are responsible for their minor aged children, at all times and in all cases.
• The draft should be reinstated and implemented effective immediately.  No exceptions, but for verified mental or physical infirmity.  Associated is mandatory national service in either the military, Peace Corps, or Americorps.
• Teacher unions should be abolished in favor of rank and file collective bargaining.  (No more union dues employed for non-representational purposes.)
• Businesses that attempt to manipulate prices should be immediately shut down.
• The CEOs of companies that glaringly fail their investors and the public should be held criminally responsible.
• A flat tax for individuals and businesses should be immediately implemented.  Associated is a massive reduction of the IRS.
• Congressional term limits should be instituted immediately.
• The federal government must reduce its civilian employees by 30% within two years.
• Insurance companies will be severely curtailed.

All of these points, collected from various gray beards I have met, point towards individual responsibility and performing our duty as citizens.  At least the gents who are the sources of the above are committed to serving our nation, improving it as they so serve.

So don't discount that gray beard you see when out and about.  He's probably willing to do more than most, and may well have done more than you.

The "I tried" folks

I'm struck by the anomaly created by those elected officials seeking to explain their lack of success.  Far too prevalent, starting with the President and going all the way to local officials, is the "I tried" defense.  So their explanations go, "I tired and we'll do it better next time."  No acceptance of responsibility.  Certainly no pursuit of personal accountability.  With the metaphoric wave of the hand and a statement of attempt, all is now well.

No where, except in politics, are folks held to a lessor degree of responsibility.  As the World Series is being played, does anyone believe a team comprised of players who constantly state "I tired" and never achieve would be competing today?   Of course not.  The mere thought is ludicrous.  Dismaying is the fact that Americans hold their professional athletes to a higher standard than their elected officials.

Would we accept from a surgeon the "I tired" explanation after a failed surgery?  Certainly not.

Would we pay the auto mechanic who failed to repair our car, when he says, "I tired?"  Most assuredly not.

In your job, would you continue to be paid and even promoted for merely trying?  Suggesting such is laughable.

The recent dust up about the computer/IT issues associated with the Affordable Care Act provides just one more example of this anomaly.  It is certainly peculiar for those in charge to expect the American people to accept their proffered "I tried" explanations.

Hence being fascinated by the willingness of the American people to accept these feeble explanations from elected officials.  And astonishment that the electorate returns such individuals to office, time and time again.  It is as if failure is unrecognized and mere expressions of attempts are the metric by which success is measured.

It is time that the "I tired" folks be held accountable, just as we hold others accountable.  End the anomaly.  

Unseemly

Regardless of one's politics, we should agree that it is unseemly for the President of the United States to go on television to sell a product.

The President of the United States is arguably the most influential elected official in the world.  With that influence comes an almost overwhelming level of responsibility, some might even say it is nearly impossible to imagine the extraordinary and multiple levels of responsibility vested in one elected official.  From our domestic agenda, including financial policy that impacts the entire world, to foreign policy involving both diplomacy and international security, the President of the United States is uniquely positioned.

Therefore, due to these phenomenal levels of of multiple, overlapping responsibilities, a leader of immense stature, character, and integrity is what the nation deserves.

What the nation does not deserve is an individual who resorts to defending and selling a product on national television, in a manner reminiscent of Gil the salesman on the cartoon show "The Simpsons," as offered by Jon Stewart on the "Daily Show."

The government of the United States should not be in a position to make and sell a product.

By his unseemly actions on 21 October, the President of the United States reduced the stature of the office to which elected.

Don't yield to the naysayers

One of the protest songs from 1965 would have one believe the world is going to end.

"Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin’
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’

And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction.

Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, it’s the same old place
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace
And… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction"

Some of the lyrics ring eerily similar to today:

• Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
• When human respect is disintegratin’
• Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace

But the world didn't end in 1965 and it won't end in 2013.

We shouldn't, we mustn't allow the extremists at both end of the spectrum scream so loud as to drown out that people can find the right way forward.  500 plus nationally elected office holders are NOT the definers of the American way of life.  They are not the ones who define our happiness.  

Surely, they can impact our lives, in good and bad ways.  But don't listen to their siren songs telling you the world will end if you support their political opponents.  Frankly, they aren't much more than pimples on the butt of progress.  

We will persevere in spite of them, not because of them.  Common sense will prevail, if allowed to.

No matter what they say, we are not on the eve of destruction.

Accountability

The Commandant of the Marine Corps essentially fired two general officers (holding rank of Major General), as a result of their failure in command, which was identified in an investigation about the insurgent attack on Camp Bastion that resulted in two Marine deaths and the destruction/severe damage of six attack aircraft.


These two warriors were rightfully held accountable for their poor judgment.

It is unusual for general officers to be held accountable in this manner.

Where are the corresponding actions by civilian and elected leaders holding those accountable for:

• Benghazi (four Americans died)
• Fast and Furious (at least one American died)
• NSA evesdropping on a reporter
•  IRS targeting conservative groups for extraordinary and unwarranted scrutiny
• Failing to pass a budget
• Illegally by-passing/deferring the law

The military may be imperfect, but at least these two very senior officers were held accountable.