5 Reasons, Public Officials Should Pay Attention To Appearances

In an ideal world, perhaps, the electorate/ citizens, would focus on relevant issues, and seeking, to elect, the individual, who might best, make a quality change, for the better! However, the reality is, in the United States, more people fail to exercise, and/ or take advantage of the right - to - vote, than actually do so. It also appears, that even, in the minority, who actually, exercise this right and responsibility, few take the time, and/ or, make the effort, to identify priorities, true issues, and differentiate between, potential, true leaders, and the empty - suits! Since perceptions are so important to how so many focus, and behave, public officials must be ready, willing, and able to pay keen attention, to appearances. With that in mind, this article will attempt to consider, review, and discuss, 5 examples.

1. Drain the swamp: One of Donald Trump's many promises, and slogans, when he ran for office, was he, would drain the swamp, which meant, change the way, business, was done, in Washington, DC. However, when we observe the first 18 months of his administration, the appearance is, of more corruption, and unethical behavior, than we have ever, before, witnessed! Did he drain the swamp, or simply, dredge, it, to make room, for individuals, with, even, less ethics, etc?

2. Environment: How does it appear, when the former, chief of the Environmental Protection Administration, seemed to be, against protecting the environment, and some of the chief, appointees, to positions of influence, and significance, within this department, were formerly, lobbyists, for industries, such as coal and oil. If we want, Americans, to be healthy, doesn't it make sense, we must protect our clean air, and water?

3. Russia: No one knows, for sure, whether there was any criminal behavior, between anyone in President Trump's administration, or campaign, or not! However, when all major American intelligence agencies, as well as similar ones, in our historic allies, agree, Russia attempted to interfere with the past election, and appears to be trying to do so, with the upcoming one, in November, how does it seem, when this President, tweets, and articulates, messages, which appear, to be favorable to Russia, and Vladmir Putin?

4. Inconsistent messages: Mr. Trump's message, often, seems to be inconsistent, and his positions, appear to sometimes, contradict themselves. Those paying attention, are often confused, about which is our actual policy!

5. Rhetoric/ vitriol/ message: What message does it send, when the focus of this President, seems to be, one of vitriol, and polarization, rather than unifying Americans, for the common good? When the message is muddled, and the rhetoric is often, empty and confusing, don't you think, many Americans are confused, in a somewhat, negative way?

If you hope to be a public leader, pay attention to how, what you do, and say, appears, to those you serve, and represent! Wake up, America, and regain control, of your destiny, and your country's direction!

Examine Elected Officials ACTIONS - Not Promises/ Rhetoric

All too often, voters have elected politicians, based on their promises, and rhetoric, and other, rather meaningless (in the bigger - picture) issues, rather than focusing on whether, they demonstrate a willingness, to create a well - considered, action plan, and strategy, to get things done, which might make a relevant, sustainable difference, for the better! It's not about what someone says, which should make a difference, but, rather, what he seeks to achieve, his motivations (is it about the politician's personal/ political agenda, and/ or self - interest), and whether he has the experience, knowledge, judgment, and other necessities, to lead effectively. We must look at the overall quality and relevance of one's ACTIONS, rather than promises, and rhetoric! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, consider, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some of the elements and necessities of leading, for all the people.

1. Attention; attitude; aptitude; articulate: Shouldn't a public official's focus, and attention, be on serving all the people? In November, 2016, the United States elected Donald Trump, to become the 45th President of this nation. Does his attitude, which seems to be focused, on his core supporters, and excluding many others, seem to be, in the best interests of the people? Unlike his predecessors, Mr. Trump, had no previous public service, and, many of his backers, seemed to pay little attention, on whether he had the aptitude, judgment, experience, and expertise, to proceed, wisely, and in a relevant, sustainable way. This President, certainly articulates his message (although, often in a conflicting way), but is that message, focused on the common good?

2. Creative; cooperative; character: Rather than seeking to Make America Great Again, wouldn't we all, be better served, if there was creative leadership, focused on the best way to make America, maintain its focus and emphasis, into the future? We need leaders, who focus on the cooperative approach, rather than a polarizing one! We should expect elected officials, to exhibit the quality character, to focus on what's best, for those he serves, rather than any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

3. Timely: Rather than fixating on the past, because everything looks better, in black - and - white, we should elect individuals, willing to fully consider options and alternatives, and, consistently, produce timely action!

4. Intentions; imagination; integrity; ideas; ideology: When voting, consider a candidate's intentions, and whether he possesses, both a well - developed, relevant imagination, as well as absolute integrity, based on the ideology, framed by our Constitution, of this nation!

5. Open - minded; options; opportunities: Avoid electing people, with the, My way or the highway, mindsets, and are ready, willing and able, to proceed, with an open - mind, and a willingness to consider the options and alternatives, and be prepared to take advantage of the finest opportunities!

6. Needs: Whose needs, does the particular leader, prioritize - his own, or those he serves and represents? Opt for someone, who puts the needs of the nation, ahead of any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

7. Service; system; sustainable solutions: The priority of anyone elected, should be, quality service, to both, his constituents (all of them), as well as his nation! He must perceive and conceive of, create, develop, and implement, the best system, to achieve, relevant, sustainable solutions! 

Wake up. America, and assume your personal responsibility, for voting, and doing so, wisely! Don't blame others, but proceed, with judgment, rather than apathy!