Well, this week we got news the “supercommittee” put together by the U.S. Congress failed in its mission to find $1.2 trillion of savings before Thanksgiving Day. The result? The blame game has started.
The supercommittee was Congress’ special task force on producing a plan to reduce the federal government’s fiscal gap by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. Where the spending reductions or revenue generation came from, or what mix of the two, was not dictated by either party … just make the math equal at least $1.2 trillion.
Steven Wallace
A recent poll asked the question: Who is to blame for the supercommittee’s failure: Democrats, Republicans, or the supercommittee itself? Twenty percent of respondents blamed the Democrats, 26 percent blamed the Republicans, and a whopping 54 percent blamed the members of the supercommittee.
As for myself, I think the folks putting the poll together asked the wrong question.
Lao Tzu’s famous quote on leadership states, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”
This stunning citation reminds a leader that accomplishing priorities is never for their own glory and the only thing that matters is when the team gains success. As a leader, placing blame on anyone besides yourself only highlights your own failure.
Every member of that supercommittee likes to be called a “leader,” as does each member of Congress. The president of the United States is often called “the leader of the Free World.” While I have not talked to President Obama in person, I would bet you he really likes that title, too. Deep down, we all like to be thought of as leaders. It means people look at us as folks who can get things done, regardless of circumstances.
Yet all of these proclaimed political leaders could not influence the process or sit down and produce a win for the American people via the supercommittee. Who do I blame for their overall failure? From top to bottom, I blame all of them.
My blame is not on party lines, nor is it targeted at a certain political philosophy. My condemnation is because of a sustained demonstrated failure of leadership by our federal politicians. From raising debt ceilings to passing unemployment compensation benefits and defense spending, our “leaders” have played a continuous game of chicken. I think as citizens of the greatest nation on the planet we deserve better.
At a recent business expo, I had the opportunity to talk with U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. As our conversation ended, she asked me for one thing she could take back to D.C. My reply was instant: Change the tone in Washington; everyday people are sick and tired of the political rhetoric on both sides.
Some people may wonder why a regional chamber is Maine is concerned over national politics and the supercommittee. I am always happy to answer that question — please email me if you think I’m wrong.
I start with this statement, followed by a few easily verifiable facts: We live in a national and global business community. Now, more than ever, what happens in D.C. affects Mid-coast Maine. When the U.S.’s credit rating is in doubt, risk rates change and everyone from banks to citizens to small businesses pay more to borrow money. When partisan import/export decisions get made at the national level, everyday consumers get rocked with the increased prices. When America fails to lead, emerging countries like Russia and China try to replace the dollar as the primary trading standard for their own currency.
I could go on with dozens of reasons and examples.
Yet as I close, I want to go back to the root of what this article is about: Leadership. Leaders do not point fingers; they place the blame for failure squarely on their own shoulders. Then they put together a winning plan, get the team energized, and get the job at hand done.
Unfortunately, the majority of our politicians are too busy placing blame on each other to get to the fixing part.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to noon, grand opening and ribbon cutting for Daniel Buck Appraisals, located at 212 Center St. in Auburn. Come help us celebrate our member’s business expansion to L/A.
Dec. 15 is Chamber Holiday After Hours. The location is the Chocolate Church Arts Center, Washington Street, Bath. The event is hosted and catered by Byrnes Irish Pub (Bath and Brunswick) and Admiral Steakhouse. Come celebrate the holiday season in a happy environment that provides a rich, productive networking experience to business people in the region. To ensure maximum enjoyment and as a courtesy to the hosts, please register by going to “Community Calendar” at www.midcoastmaine.com. SMMC’s Chamber After Hours are always free.
The Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Dinner is Jan. 12, 2012, 4:30 to 8 p.m., at Thorne Dining Hall on the campus of Bowdoin College. The evening includes a member-tomember exhibition, networking and social hour, dinner and a short business meeting. Maine humorist Gary Crocker will provide entertainment. Sponsors for the evening include Mid Coast Hospital. Reserve now by calling 725-8797 or emailing info@midcoastmaine.com.
The chamber proudly serves businesses in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.
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