While having dinner, Hanu started the conversation with the news, “We have different kinds of leaders as heads of countries; and neither of them are having good moral values. It is surprising that even in democratic countries they have elected leaders without any moral values or sometimes lack a good value compass. I can understand that countries with dictators have not choice, while it surprises me that in places where the people elect their rulers they have chosen poorly. “
Ganu, after setting down the dish, said, “Yes, most leaders in today’s world do not have a moral compass or lack values the people want in the leaders. However, in history even great leaders who are remembered today had poor values and evolved from that point to be great as we remember them today. A lot of truth about past leaders has been muddied. It is only a few authors who give a realistic picture of these great rulers. “
” Author Brad Meltzer said in a recent (Oct 3rd 2017) interview “today’s generation is lacking heroes to emulate and look upto, to guide them in their lives” continued Ganu, “In the past, too it is there have been kings, conquerors and heads of state who are not to be emulated as not all of them had strong moral or character or principle values. Consider, somebody like Ghengis Khan who butchered his enemies and troup to gain what he wanted.”
“Hmmmm, ” said Hanu, pensively, “Now that you say it, I am reminded from history that Henry VIII, who wanted to divorce his wife (wives); changed England from the pope who was the religious head to himself being the head for England; mostly for his selfish reasons.. He was the first monarch to separate religion from state politics. By his ruling he also made marriage a civil contract between two consenting adults. It is difficult to state that he had good values to emulate or adopt. “
“Yes, ” said Ganu, ” And in more recent times, consider Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) who hid from the American people during his 4 terms as President that he suffered from polio. I would consider that the president hid a truth about himself to get elected to the next term. At that time, the populace were not kind to somebody with disability; even though, he is considered one of the greatest presidents of the country. He lacked honesty to the people.”
“How about Indira Gandhi, PrimeMinster of India in the 70s, declared emergency rule to keep herself in power, before the judge could come to court the next day; and pronounce his verdict. She further to secure her position as head of state, curtailed her own countrymen in Punjab and Assam, from upudating the electoral rolls to folks who are eligible to vote. “
“That is news to me, ” said Hanu,” I brought this up as I feel Donald Trump, ex president of USA and French president Emmanuel Macron are heads of state whose personal and moral values have a lot to be desired. I feel these and others in other countries lack moral strength to be considered as icons for young children to emulate or hold in high esteem.”
“We must remember that when we elect a head of state we do not look at their moral values, their religious beliefs and their personal lives as a criteria.” said Ganu, “We elect those who articulate our ideals and our needs. Having elected the official, I feel we must give them the bandwidth to implement what they promised or stated.”We must remember that when we elect a head of state we do not look at their moral values, their religious beliefs and their personal lives as a criteria. We elect those who articulate our ideals and promise to fulfill our needs.”
“It is nice to have the head of state, have moral values, strong principles and an upstanding character; however, it is not a requirement. This is not clear to the folks who elect them. After all, we are electing them to represent us in the government. They want a job and we elect the best who can do the job. I emphasize, we are not electing a head of state as an icon for our children or guide them in life. That is each parent’s and well wisher’s job. “
“I remember we had a chat about a site we saw sometime back when saw a Donkey on the roof. We put the donkeys to govern us and we need to live with it until they finish their term.”
“Yes I do remember. You brought up Brad Meltzer and I would like say on his own blog I am reading ‘…obvious ones like Nelson Mandela or Sesame Street creator Joan Ganz Cooney. There’s also policemen like Frank Shankwitz, who helped a little boy with leukemia ride a toy motorcycle and then used the idea to come up with the idea for the Make-A-Wish Foundation…or Team Hoyt, where father pushes his son in a wheelchair through marathon after marathon. Look around. Heroes are far more local than you think.’ “
“Yes, ” said Ganu,”Heroes are local and all around us. Some of them live next door to us and we need to recognize this.”
References
- https://ganuandhanu.com/2020/09/19/donkey-on-the-roof/
- https://bradmeltzer.com/About/QA