AUSTERITY

From My Perspective - - -

Austerity means (according to Webster’s Revised Unabridged dictionary): “…Severity of manners or life; extreme rigor or strictness; harsh discipline….severe simplicity…” This is interesting in light of a statement made by the co-chair of Barack Obama's Transition Team, Valerie Jarrett, when she appeared on Meet the Press this weekend…Ms. Jarret told Tom Brokaw that "given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power/control and begin to rule day one." It is the use of the words “power…control…rule” that are of interest. We have never spoken of an American President in those terms previously. The History and Heritage has been that the newly elected President will assume Leadership and Govern. That is a significant difference in philosophy and governing.

A MONARCH is defined as one who is: “A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler; an emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief.” That is, one who would control and rule for as long as the citizenry would permit. A DICTATOR is one who is: “a person exercising absolute power, esp. a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession…one who authoritatively prescribes conduct, usage, etc” If control, power, rule is the dynamic of the Transition Team, that describes the direction for this nation in the foreseeable future. Just one area for illustration of where this can lead. The concept of “redistribution of wealth” is a new phrase and sound for the way we think in this country. However, one is led to believe it will pertain to the wealthiest 5% in the nation to allow for the other 95% to receive tax cuts or financial subsidies. Lest we be tempted to think this represents a tax increase of less than 5% on the wealthiest Americans, there is another issue looming in the background.

Many Americans have scrimped and saved so they could have a private retirement account – IRA, 401K, or some other private pension plan. In the Congress of the United States, the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor Rep. George Miller said that sweeping changes are coming to the 401(k) system. Those changes could include confiscating workers' personal retirement accounts and converting them into accounts managed by the Social Security Administration (GRA – Government Retirement Accounts). There’s another word that fits in with the scheme of “control, power, rule” – namely “confiscating”! This means the Federal Government would seize and begin to control over $4 Trillion Dollars. Would they invest your money? Have they invested what was taken from wages for Social Security? The answer is: NO!

Leadership is ultimately about getting things done - that Drive to Take Action - and get results and improve performance. It’s the ability to influence, motivate and provide the tools and environment to others so that they can best contribute towards the successful attainment of the goals of their community or organization. True Leadership does not need nor want “control, power, rule, confiscation” in order to govern. It is usually the areas of positive influence; motivation to action; and sacrificial example that produce the greatest result and achieves the highest goals.

Consider these things with me - - - A Good Leader is one who has himself learned by Following. Perhaps this is why when Jesus was training disciples to prepare them for leadership, in Matthew 16:24 He gave them two basic choices – if one wanted to be identified with Him: (a) he must deny himself (of personal rights and desires); (b) he must take up his cross (the symbol of dying to self interests and pride) – then he will be able to follow Jesus Christ. Dictatorship is always marked by self-interests and personal accruement. Monarchs are usually marked by self-aggrandizement and wealth accumulation. The President-elect; the Transition Team he has formed; and those he chooses to head the various agencies of Government all need a substantial dose of and commitment to Micah 6:8, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Is it impossible for this to occur? Only if you allow negative thinking and surrender to the inevitable – that neutralizes any positive influence you could be. Always remember – NOTHING is Impossible with our God!