Ann Bednarski: Leaders lead by example; Obama certainly doesn’t

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.

Out, out brief candle!

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour

Upon the stage and then is heard no more;

It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

— Wm. Shakespeare

It is sad to see what apathy and abuse can do to the most innovative and resourceful country in the world. The person elected by WE, THE PEOPLE, has never quite understood the responsibilities of a leader. He has flamboyantly taken advantage of the office of president of the United States with pretentiousness and disdain for anyone who criticizes his decisions. The result of his serious lack of respect for the presidency has yielded a country on the brink of destruction. Every day another abuse or fraud is discovered. No one is minding the store. There are well-known dangers to crony appointments and a lack of direction or supervision. Turn on the news; you will see what happens when a government gets so big, so muddled, and so abusive of authority that the republic implodes.

Barack Obama should resign. It is unconscionable that he has run away from his duties of office and takes no responsibility for the plethora of scandals. Instead he goes around campaigning, claims no knowledge of any of the abuses being uncovered daily, and possesses few leadership qualities.

Sadly, WE, THE PEOPLE elected him and he accepted the job and has taken great advantage of the benefits that come with it. In 2008 the minions of voters his clever speech attracted actually believed he was “going to pay for my house, my electric, my car. He will give me everything.” Instead, all he has given Americans is exorbitant debt. Unlike past vigorously engaged presidents, this leader of our country does not get involved.

It is very difficult to believe all the people in charge of agencies and departments of our government are corrupt or ill-equipped to do their job. Take, for example, sequestration and the closing of the White House. Did no one in authority question that? Did the president have anything else in mind but to “have the American people feel the pain and loss” of these mean spirited decisions? The abuse of power seems obviously deliberate.

A leader sets the tone and expectations of those he chooses for his team, goals and objectives. The attributes of a leader include integrity, honesty, character and a strong desire to put forth the best effort to reach the desired objective fairly, without destroying the foundation or purpose for his position. A leader leads by example.

My opinion is all these agencies have followed the president’s lead. They see him partying, vacationing and ignoring the mounting debt so why not do the same? WE, THE PEOPLE have lost our rights, privacy, homes, jobs, and soon our health care. Yet we still have the freedom to express ourselves. I think we all would like to be “One nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for All.” Do you?

Ann Bednarski is a retired educator and journalist.