A book every American should read: Three Cups of Tea
“Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man.”—Shams-ud-uddin Muhammed Hafiz
That quote above began Chapter Four of “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School At A Time,” a book about Greg Mortenson’s quest to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially schools for girls, as a way to cultivate peace instead of hatred, terrorism and war. Each chapter is laden with gems but the common theme in the book is rolling up one’s sleeves and getting into a culture instead of making incorrect assumptions from afar. It is a book every American should read, seriously.
So much of politics in the U.S. is burdened by leaders who fail to get out there amongst the very people they are purporting to represent. Some campaign via television ads and mailers instead of going out and knocking on doors and shaking hands, seemingly not interested in listening to voters. Still others, once elected, vote against their constituents’ core concerns, such as with the failure of Congress to redeploy our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan or with the recent FISA bill.
These “leaders” don’t listen to the voters. They are not of the common man for the common good. They are just common politicians, the type that don’t honor their word, the type that don’t uphold the Constitution we entrusted them to protect.
The Bush Administration has ushered in a new era of bully bravado that marches on unchecked. Even with the will of the people behind them, our “leaders” have failed to lead. Instead, they fall in line and promote submission to the bully mentality, the underinformed minority strangling democracy’s neck.
We have a president who doesn’t believe in planning, who doesn’t believe in reading much, who doesn’t believe in what it is that has made this country great: the common man. This elitism mentality has trickled down into Congress and silenced many in the media. Where are the tough questions? Where are the bold votes? Where.is.the.spine?
I’m out here in the Western New York area looking for a candidate to inspire me, one who makes me believe that he or she has the best interests of the common man deeply etched into his or her heart, just like Greg Mortenson in Pakistan and Afghanistan, working amongst those he wants to help. I believe I have found him in Jon Powers, Democratic candidate for Congress in NY-26. Powers is always out there, rain or shine, knocking on doors and listening to voters. He comes from a modest background and he has fought as a soldier in Iraq. He puts ideas into action instead of rhetoric. Powers also reads. He is informed and he puts that information into planning. In fact, “Three Cups of Tea” is one of Jon Powers’ favorite books.
We need leaders who change the negativity associated with the word “politician.” We need leaders who are informed, involved and intelligent. We need leaders who lead with both their heart and mind. Greg Mortenson showed how one man can change the lives of so many by following his heart with actions. I believe Jon Powers can do the same for NY-26.
Related posts:
[...] discussed two books - Perfectly Legal and Three Cups of Tea both worthy of [...]