“Many forms of government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” — Winston Churchill.THIS week the US has certainly provided evidence of the imperfection of democracy, and plenty of scope for reflection.
Watching the unfolding events of insurgents storming Capitol Hill in Washington DC took me back to September 2011.
There is something about the world’s leading nation and its institutions being made vulnerable that heightens our own sense of fragility here in Australia.
While democracy means that diversity of opinion is welcomed, and leadership must listen and consider those differing views and voices, the fact is that government has a responsibility to lead for the greater good.
The second reflection on the happenings of the US this week, is that we need to consider the character of leadership when we vote.
It is not just the policy points that one espouses, but the story of a life.
It is not a snapshot that we have viewed this week, but a film documentary over time.
In my view, Trump’s ongoing refusal to accept defeat and his subsequent behaviour to stir up dissent, really should not be a surprise.
The evidence he has provided out of his own lips and indeed his treatment of loyal staff and colleagues over years, is that he cannot suffer losers.
He has always demeaned and bullied those who were not in his winning circle and that has been evident from his years prior to election.
The writing was on the wall.
He cannot tolerate to be vulnerable and losing triggers vulnerability, however it is an experience most of us have experienced.
It is not the losing, but how we lose that exposes our character.
Our forefathers died to defend our democracy and our way of life.
We must commit and continue to uphold the virtues and ideals that make us Australia.
