NWA editorial: In search of servants

Obama cites need for strong leaders in nation

Emerging for a public appearance for the first time since he departed the White House and became Citizen Barack Obama, the former president outlined what very well may become a focal point of his post-presidential years: public service.

As he spoke at the private University of Chicago on Monday, Obama said "the single most important thing I can do ... is prepare the next generation of leadership to take up the baton and take their own crack at changing the world."

What’s the point?

Our communities, state and nation need more people to step up to lead with integrity and an ability to find common ground.

Call him the community organizer-in-chief.

Obama recalled his stint as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side and, joined onstage by a half-dozen student activists, pondered what it will take to inspire a new generation to step up in leadership roles in their communities, state and nation.

The examples they see before them, in many instances, have the opposite effect. On major public policy issues, they witness political leaders who could hardly be farther apart, staking out rock solid stands that leave little room for compromise.

Yes, compromise. It has not yet been declared a four-letter word. Indeed, it appears much more rare these days. Who can blame young people -- or people of any age -- for distrusting politicians, who they see strolling to separate microphones after meetings only to skewer the "other side."

There is little to recommend such a life.

But -- and we can hardly believe we're saying it -- Obama is right. Not only are new leaders needed, but a new mindset that allows room for understanding and the pursuit of solutions, not one-sided victories.

It's been reported in poll after poll that Americans' trust in political leaders is lower than nearly any other time in the nation's history. Such perceptions didn't arrive with Donald Trump's ascendance, so let's not try to cast all the blame on him and bask in the glory of all things Obama. No, Democrats and Republicans share responsibility for the disillusionment of so many Americans.

Right here in Northwest Arkansas are other examples. Although innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, two of the region's lawmakers have been indicted in what federal authorities say was their scheme to receive financial kickbacks for help in directing taxpayer dollars to specific organizations. One of them has pleaded guilty already. The formal charges include honest services fraud, an oddly named allegation that reflects what's expected of public officials. And yet why are many Americans -- and in this case, Arkansans -- so skeptical that they will get "honest services" out of the people elected to represent them?

Such examples are themselves indications of the need for high-quality, trustworthy people to engage in the civic arena, but they're also a big reason people simply don't want to get involved. Donald Trump referred to it as the swamp, a place few people are willing to go. It's not that Trump has so far done a lot to "drain the swamp," as he promised in the campaign, but the pledge to do so certainly resonated with a lot of voters.

Let's not pretend serving as a member of the city council, county's Quorum Court, the school board, the state Legislature, Congress or in any other capacity is easy. Expectations of the public are almost impossible to meet without making someone mad. We recall former Washington County Judge Jerry Hunton telling us each year he was in a public, elected position, the number of people he hadn't made mad with a decision got smaller and smaller.

Public leadership requires thick skin and a strong backbone. Doing it right requires a level of transparency in decision-making many people are not comfortable with. And it's definitely hard work trying to bridge the gulf that exists between people's political philosophies.

As we noted, though, Obama is right. We need people in the arena trying to do right by the American public. We need people of integrity, who can put the power of public office to great use without being consumed by it. We need people who are willing to sacrifice their quiet, private lives because they believe in the work required to make their communities, state and nation stronger tomorrow than they are today.

President Obama is young enough he can spend many years promoting the benefits of public service. We wish him success with people of all backgrounds. It would also be outstanding if elected officials could strive harder to put the American spirit ahead of party politics, if compromise for the good of all could replace combat, if "honest services" were the standard by which political movers and shakers lived rather than part of a law they are accused of violating.

It is easier not to get involved. But few things worth having -- such a great communities, a forward-moving state and a secure and successful nation -- are easy.

Commentary on 04/26/2017

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