Many years ago, in another era of our nation, a grizzled old retired Army Colonel stood up in front of a group of Air Force ROTC Cadets on the first day of class and made the following statement: “Anybody can demand respect, but only a true leader can command respect”.  Over a forty-five year flying career, thirty-seven of those years as Pilot-In-Command, I never forgot that concept.

In the current election cycle we have two candidates for President.  One demands, in a loud and strident voice, that we respect her accomplishments in life, in and out of politics, and so choose her to lead the country for the next four years.  The other, in frequently brash and not so eloquent language, points out his personal successes in the private sector, which are undeniable.  The question then becomes who really deserves our respect?

For many years it has become evident that there is something seriously wrong with the way our government operates.  Individuals, mainly trained as lawyers, have become career politicians.  The longer they hold office in Washington, the farther they get from understanding the everyday needs and concerns of those constituents who they supposedly represent.  Everything becomes viewed through the distorted lens of “inside the beltway” Washington.  Lobbyists, who have far more money to contribute to a politician’s re-election coffers than the average voter, gain more and more influence over the government.  We must all remember that a mere 546 people exert control over almost every aspect of our lives.  The President and Vice-President, 9 members of the Supreme Court, 100 Senators and 435 Congressional Representatives.  That small number of individuals control the masses of un-elected federal employees who inhabit the “Swamp” that the federal government has become.  With the exception of the members of the Supreme Court, all these leaders are elected by the people.  They can be removed from office by impeachment or simply not re-elected.  One candidate for President this year has expressed a desire to “drain the swamp”.  It can’t be done by Presidential fiat, but the power of the President, if the people get behind the the effort, can begin the process. Pushing for term limits is a good start.

An old saying goes: “It’s hard to remember that your job is to drain the swamp when you’re up to your ass in alligators”.  However a strong outsider may actually be able to focus and complete the task.  Remember, this is supposed to be a government “Of the people, by the people and for the people”, not a private playground for the politicians and the privileged.