Burning In The Wake

 

Henry Ford said, “Don't find fault, find a remedy.”

The office of the President of the United States of America must be filled by an individual who can create peace through the art and skill of diplomacy. 

In any presidency there will be conflict. In every presidency there will be the possibility, and perhaps necessity, for war. The one who dares to apply for this position must be immediately prepared to shoulder that reality. There will undoubtedly be moments of unrest, both politically, culturally and perhaps physically in every generation. Those who wish to be at the helm must be capable in those moments to understand the nuances of those conflicts, and most especially to be proficient in resolving them in the most pragmatic ways. 

Today our country is seeing turmoil in the political rallies, and ensuing protests, of Donald Trump. In Chicago, protesters and Trump supporters collided in the thousands and while the rally was canceled, the conflict remains unresolved. 

In virtually every city where Mr. Trump speaks, we see these clashes: Saint Lewis, MS , Fayetteville, NC , Miami, FL , Richmond, VA , just to name a few.


Chicago Protests at Trump Rally - March 2016
 
Altercation at Trump Rally in Virginia - Oct 2015

The division is spreading faster and faster through our Nation. Some of this animosity was created solely by Trump himself, some he has encouraged, but some of these divisions existed before his time. He did not make all these problems…but can he help fix them? 

If he wants to be the President of the United States he cannot continue to defer or reject the responsibility of this moment. The buck must stop here. 

Today is his moment to try to lead. 

We are each responsible for our own choices, as are the protesters and the Trumpeters, but a leader takes responsibility for people other than themselves. They shoulder the questions, needs, and problems of the many. If he wants to be our Commander-in-Chief, then he must lead today, not AFTER he has been given the title. He must earn the job. He must prove he is worthy. He must demonstrate he is fit for the calling. Only results are evidence of effectiveness. There can be no excuses or blaming others.

This is his moment. 

Convince me Donald Trump. 

Convince me you can sue for peace. Show me, now and today, that when foreign nations rise in anger and frustration with us, or each other, that you can handle the responsibility of a mediator. I promise you Mr. Trump that when those challenges arise that they will be much more demanding than those that are happening on your campaign trail today. Can you create treaties out of wisdom, compassion, justice and the sheer force-of-will for peace? 

Earn your way to the top with an undeniable performance of skill. 

These are defining opportunities.  Systems are being tested and fracturing. These are great days of change and possibilities.  

There are those who only serve to deconstruct and demolish. Donald Trump can certainly bull doze. He has proven he can challenge the status quo with his unexpected rise, with his angry rhetoric and unconventional methods. He has rattled this nation and stirred our fires. He has shocked and shaken this country.

But can he offer solutions? Can he unify a city? A political party? A nation? A world? We have to consider this carefully, because up to this moment his only 'leadership' has been to leave our country burning in his wake.

The President is the president of not just the political party of those to whom he or she belongs, but the president of all Americans. A President must effectively work with those who disagree with them, with those who are not their loyalists. They must represent us all and answer to us all. They must be willing to do what is best, not for just those to whom they affiliate with, but for all people. They must speak to the dissenter as well as the proponent. 

If he is volunteering for the toughest job, then he cannot shirk this problem. Will he say, “It is not me. It is not mine.” Or will he stand and claim it, and resolve it? The mantle of responsibility must be assumed with all its weight by those who seek the privilege to wear it. 

Mr. Trump, can you unite people? Because you have applied for the job. You are in the middle of a skills demonstration interview and we are watching.