Mary and I became involved in Politics during Dr. Ron Paul’s presidential campaign in 2008.  He had a vision of return our nationing to its revolutionary roots — with Love as one of its key factors. His message resonated with a lot of people at the grass roots level and changed hearts.

Mary and I always say “Dr. Paul cured our indifference.”  After his campaign, we remained involved with the Republican Liberty Caucus of California for quite a while, until my normal, day to day work load simply made extra-curricular activities impossible.  Recently, while attending the annual RLCCA Convention in Burlingame, we started discussing “Why” we weren’t happy with the way things were going in the Republican Party in particular and politics in general.  The trigger phrase for me was my simple statement that I considered many of the positions and actions by politicians of both parties to be in-humane.

For example, the recent shutdown of the federal government in 2013 caused a lot of pain for a lot of people.  Many of the politicians who supported the shutdown did it for philosophical reasons, reasons related to their political positions and beliefs.  Others were concerned that they would not be re-elected the next time around.  My reaction was, “People are being hurt!  Do something!” What was interesting is that the Republican actions initiated the shutdown, but corresponding Democrat actions made its impact worse.  Both sides behaved in an in-humane manner.

Governments exist to protect people and provide stability.  Neither of these factors were present in the 2013 shutdown.  People were being hurt and things were very unstable.

Some will argue that we need to get rid of Obama Care, or shrink the federal government, or return to the rule of law as represented in the Constitution of the United States.  I won’t argue with them on their right to support those goals, but I am willing to debate on the methods used to promote them.  If those methods are in-humane, then they are wrong.  Our founding fathers were men of strength, character and compassion!  Compassion is missing from the politics of Washington, Sacramento and local organizations.

Doctor Paul was first a Doctor.  He continues to care about the well being of his patients and those who were his constituents.  Too many politicians today care only about themselves, their supporters or the political organization they belong to…  not the people they were elected to support and protect.

The heart of leadership is knowing and being able to express WHY you do what you do.

So, I call upon everyone who is active in a political leadership role of any type, party, city or neighborhood, to think about how their actions and decisions impact the lives of others.

1. Check out the TED video “How great leaders inspire action” by the leadership consultant Simon Sinek.