It's up to us to create effective leaders

It's deja vu all over again. Short memories, denial — our nation's current financial crisis brings out the afflictions Americans suffer. It's our way of coping with the failures of our government until it affects us personally. We forget the lessons of the past.

Our nation's history is that it doesn't move unless pushed by thoughtful leaders or by an alert and active citizenry. Our founders designed it that way. As Americans, we like to solve problems fast and then forget about them. That's why we elect leaders and expect them to do the "right thing" as we would: be honest, carry out their responsibilities and work for the public good. Unfortunately, some don't live by the rules and need to be reminded about being good public stewards. Citizens hire their leaders to run the machinery of government, but they also have the responsibility to make sure it runs properly, or they will get new leaders. We can do that, you know — every election. That's our duty if we want our government to work for us.

Today it seems we have a short supply of good leaders who have a vision of how they can deal with change consistent with our common values in a changing world. I am sure they exist; we just need to take the time to find them, or to see ourselves as one. Lacking leaders to move our country forward, it's up to us, as citizens, to help the leaders we have make sure they work for the public good. We tend to forget that.

Because we have periodically had good leaders who led us through other crises, we tend to lull ourselves into complacency. Past generations trusted their leaders. When leaders warned them of the outside threats the nation faced, they were willing to defend her. When leaders asked them to sacrifice, they did. That's why they were called the "greatest generation." That generation came back from the war and again worked together to build the quality of life we have come to know. They trusted their leaders. That changed with the Vietnam War. While that generation went to war, they soon found their elected leaders were less than truthful and came home disillusioned if not betrayed. And remember Watergate?