Who Wants to Lead?

Monday at sundown, Jews all over the world will begin celebrating Passover. The holiday commemorates the Jews' exodus from Egypt and enslavement.

Part of that exodus involved a 40-year trek through the desert to the Promised Land. The journey was led by Moses, who had just partnered with G-d to successfully "negotiate" the Jews' release from Pharaoh's servitude. It would seem Moses was a far better negotiator than desert guide.

So why did the Jews journey take 40 years? There are jokes, (Moses was a typical man – unable to stop and ask for directions), and theological theories, (the Jews faith in G-d wasn't complete and a new generation needed to replace the non-believers).

No matter what the reason, I think it's impressive the Jews stuck with their guy. Barring divine intervention, they just figured, "hey, the guy got us out of Egypt, he'll get us to the Promised Land. Eventually."

The story gets me thinking about leadership. About the type of person who can lead other people. What makes us follow someone? And what makes someone think they should be followed? Obviously there's more than a touch of megalomania with a side of egotism, and a sprinkle of narcissism. But in our times today, there's also more than a little masochism.

For example, last week House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) unveiled his 2012 budget for the U.S. government. The budget greatly reduces federal spending. Mr. Ryan says that he's cutting back on spending money the government doesn't have. Opponents of his plan say the cuts are draconian and that they will destroy the social safety net so many Americans rely on. Okay.

Then, as is always the case, the pundits took to the airwaves to defend or attack the plan. The Democrat sound bite – a time-honored and effective one – was that Ryan was declaring war on old people and poor women and children. James Carville goes so far as to say that the message from Congressman Ryan to seniors is: "Drop dead!"

Now I don't personally know Congressman Ryan, but I find it highly suspect that he wants America's seniors to die, cold and penniless, huddled in a corner of an abandoned tenement – but I guess I'm a glass is half full kind of guy.

What I do know from my time working in Congress is that writing these bills is hard work. Mr. Ryan and his staff and other Members of Congress and their staffs spent days and days away from their families and friends – ignoring their personal lives to come up with what they believed was a common sense approach to our nation's economic woes. In other words, whether you agree with what they proposed or not – they were trying to lead.

They turn this budget document in and what happens? Do they get a, "well, thanks for taking a stab at this, but we're not so sure about where some of this is headed. Look at our take."? No. They get, "hey, look everybody, these guys hate old people and want young kids with autism to die!"

Now, of course this cuts both ways. Republicans are, after all, no stranger to hyperbole themselves.

But all this extreme distortion and misrepresentation makes me wonder – who in their right mind would want to make the many personal sacrifices that public service calls for, only to be labeled a "child hater," or a "heartless murderer of senior citizens?" Why would any reasonable person with good ideas want to put up with this?

And that's the answer. No reasonable person would.

That's why we're left with egomaniacal, megalomaniacal, masochistic madmen and women. And it's why I suspect we're going to do a lot of wandering before a generation that won't put up with it is in charge. Or before somebody just asks for directions.