(Footnote below)
I have just finished reading Michelle Obama's book 'Becoming'. I
was keen to read her book as she comes across as a person with great dignity,
integrity and courage.
Towards the end of the book she addresses a question she has been asked
many times. She said,
"I have no
intention of running for office, ever. I've never been a fan of politics, and
my experience over the last ten years has done little to change that. I continue
to be put off by the nastiness---the tribal separation of red and blue, this
idea that we are supposed to choose one side and stick to it, unable to
listen and compromise, or even be civil.” (p419)
This was music to me ears as I have struggled with the combative and
hypocritical nature of politics.
In an earlier blog post I talked about this concern and offered my views on a possible better way. I have repeated much of this below as I have been further inspired by Michelle Obama's strong views.
There is no doubt about it, ‘together everyone achieves more’. Over the
years we have all watched New Zealand’s political circus of punch and counter
punch. When election time comes around the hype and marketing builds.
Unfortunately some ‘over promising’ can happen and this of course comes with
quite a bit of under-delivering once elected. No matter how principled
people are, they usually vote with self-interest and who can blame them.
The current situation is no different. The
reality is, New Zealand has a combative and party dogma centred construct of
governing. Under this model how is it possible to harness the best of what we
have and have a fully unified, inclusive and powerful strategy ahead!
We have a choice. We can accept this as is and
carry on regardless. To be fair, New Zealand can be proud of much of what has
been achieved in recent times, including getting through in pretty good shape
after the challenges of the Christchurch earthquakes, recessions and of course
the global financial crisis (GFC). However, everyone would agree, the gap
between those ‘who have’ and those ‘who have not’ is far too wide. Our
education, health and social sectors are underfunded and operate in an
uncoordinated fashion. That’s probably too harsh but a cross disciplinary
approach would be more powerful.
A fundamental question needs to be asked. If you
were responsible for a large number of people’s welfare and their asset base,
would you set up a system of governance as we have currently?
I personally wouldn’t. I may be naive, in fact I
know I am but the idea of a meritocracy of sorts has much merit in my mind.
Democracy has to be at the heart of this.
I believe most New Zealanders have a very similar
vision for our country. I also believe most would ascribe to very similar
principles and values. For example, most New Zealanders believe in democracy,
racial and gender equity, environmental sustainability, freedom of speech and
so on.
If a shared vision was democratically settled on
and then the agreed principles and values we wish to live by are agreed, we
would then have the basis to create a shared strategic plan and related goals
to implement. These goals would be far ranging having targets across the
spectrum of what we hold dear as New Zealand citizens. Of course these goals
would need to be revisited regularly to ensure they still have the powerful
relevancy and currency required.
Having a shared and ‘owned’ approach like this
would take out the enormous amount of time we waste on petty and quite often personal
political debates which cause division and take the energy away from what is
important.
This would also take away the need for political
parties and allow passionate people to put their hand up for election to New
Zealand’s 1st XV who would take up the responsibility for leadership. I
use the term 1st XV with ‘tongue in cheek’ as it is a parlance many would
recognise. Essentially the best people for the job similar to a Board of
Trustees. Right now, my vote would be for Jacinda to be captain and coach. I
see many others across the parties who have so much to offer NZ but are caught
up in party politics and ‘treading water’.
I, like you want the best for NZ. We should aspire
to be a role model for the rest of the world as our planet is in a perilous
state.
Before you dismiss this idea as nonsense, debate it
with your family and friends as I know we can do better. Let’s get our best
people on the park as together everyone achieves more.
This wonderful poem is very related to what has been said.
Footnote: Teamwork picture. Apologies but my eyes can't quite read the credits. Hopefully you can.
