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What a refreshing read this is. How do we get more leaders like this and turn away from division?
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A wise leader must deal with reality and state what he intends, and what level of commitment he is willing to invest in achieving that end. He then has to trust that his subordinates know how to carry that out. Wise leadership requires collaboration; otherwise, it will lead to failure.
Nations with allies thrive, and those without them wither. Alone, America cannot protect our people and our economy. At this time, we can see storm clouds gathering. A polemicist’s role is not sufficient for a leader. A leader must display strategic acumen that incorporates respect for those nations that have stood with us when trouble loomed. Returning to a strategic stance that includes the interests of as many nations as we can make common cause with, we can better deal with this imperfect world we occupy together. Absent this, we will occupy an increasingly lonely position, one that puts us at increasing risk in the world.
Unlike in the past, where we were unified and drew in allies, currently our own commons seems to be breaking apart. What concerns me most as a military man is not our external adversaries; it is our internal divisiveness. We are dividing into hostile tribes cheering against each other, fueled by emotion and a mutual disdain that jeopardizes our future, instead of rediscovering our common ground and finding solutions.
All Americans need to recognize that our democracy is an experiment—and one that can be reversed. We all know that we’re better than our current politics. Tribalism must not be allowed to destroy our experiment.
I hope the Progressives here realize that that last sentence "All Americans need to recognize that our democracy is an experiment—and one that can be reversed. We all know that we’re better than our current politics. Tribalism must not be allowed to destroy our experiment." is talking about them too.
But your duty as a cabinet secretary is ultimately to follow the direction of the President of the United States. If you feel that you cannot do so due to fundamental disagreements over policy, the only honorable and responsible thing for you to do is resign. You serve at the pleasure of the president, who was elected by the people whereas you were appointed by the president.
Nope, not this one. I was very disappointed to see Mattis stepping down. I think he is a brilliant leader and wish he was still involved with this administration. And all either side can do is speculate why it happened.
No speculation at all, in this case.
He came right out and said it in plain English.
"A polemicist’s role is not sufficient for a leader. A leader must display strategic acumen that incorporates respect for those nations that have stood with us when trouble loomed."
"A polemicist’s role is not sufficient for a leader. A leader must display strategic acumen that incorporates respect for those nations that have stood with us when trouble loomed."
And the respect has to be earned and reciprocated. Many of our supposed allies don't return respect, they use and abuse us then put their hand back out for more "help"
The essential attributes of Trump are the notions of "if you want something done right, do it yourself" and "it's my way or the highway". Which works for self sufficiency and can work for management roles but does not scale to true leadership. It's why he has so much turnover in his administration.
Ex-defense secretary Jim Mattis says US at a ‘breaking point’
Quote:
WASHINGTON — Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warns in a book excerpt of the bitter political divisions that seem to be tearing apart American society, echoing themes he often cited before he resigned from the Trump administration in protest.
The retired Marine general, who quit in December amid policy disagreements with President Donald Trump, says he is concerned about the state of American politics.
‘‘We all know that we’re better than our current politics,’’ Mattis wrote in the excerpt published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal. ‘‘Tribalism must not be allowed to destroy our experiment.’’
Mattis said that ‘‘our own commons seems to be breaking apart’’ to a degree not seen in the past.
‘‘What concerns me most as a military man is not our external adversaries; it is our internal divisiveness,’’ he wrote.
~snip~
‘‘When my concrete solutions and strategic advice, especially keeping faith with our allies, no longer resonated, it was time to resign, despite the limitless joy I felt serving alongside our troops in defense of our Constitution,’’ he wrote.
One need look no further than this forum to see the truth of Mattis's words. Under the highly devisive presidency of Donald Trump, Americans seem to grow further apart by the day. The greatest enemy to our Democracy is the enemy within.
I think the game is largely over. We lost most everything...which is goodwill and trust....all over the world. We have no legs to stand on.
It's possible that we will still flower as a small unique part of the world...if we can get rid of Trump and those types of world views. But, at this point, that would be far in the future as he has poisoned the well.
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Ex-defense secretary Jim Mattis says US at a ‘breaking point’
