Saturday, May 06, 2006
The Unprofessional President
What's wrong when the President bends rules to suit his political agenda, and then seeks to tightly enforce similar rules to prevent opponents from exposing unpleasant issues for the administration?
I think it's a stark contrast from the professional ethic that brought the US world respect during the middle of the 20th century. After World War II, the US was respected around the world for its professional conduct. That conduct, in turn, was rooted in respect for the institutions and the individuals working for the institutions of America's civil, foreign, and military services.
When a President undermines the rules that guide professional respect, both at home and abroad, that corrodes America's position in the world.
The Bush administration came in to office with a promise to manage the government like the executives managed private sector companies. But this sort of unprofessional management wouldn't survive long in the private sector.
I think it's a stark contrast from the professional ethic that brought the US world respect during the middle of the 20th century. After World War II, the US was respected around the world for its professional conduct. That conduct, in turn, was rooted in respect for the institutions and the individuals working for the institutions of America's civil, foreign, and military services.
When a President undermines the rules that guide professional respect, both at home and abroad, that corrodes America's position in the world.
The Bush administration came in to office with a promise to manage the government like the executives managed private sector companies. But this sort of unprofessional management wouldn't survive long in the private sector.
