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Washington's dysfunction is really our dysfunction. We are responsible for whom
we send to represent us. If we are intellectually lazy partisan hacks, our
politicians will be as well. We fix our own dysfunction by sending better
politicians to Washington!
Sending better politicians to Washington requires us to reconsider which leadership traits we prioritize. Given the lack of admirable politicians in DC these days, let's go back in history to find a leader worthy of emulation.
One such leader was John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts.
Here are five important attributes of John Quincy's that we should insist in seeing in our elected officials.
Inclusiveness
“...I have followed [my] convictions with a single eye to the interests of the whole nation…”
John Quincy insisted that he represented the whole nation--not special interests. His radical inclusiveness lasted throughout his career. As a young diplomat, John Quincy berated a senior British official for attacking John Quincy's political rivals in a previous administration back home (a lesson modern officials should heed). Toward the end of his career when elected to the House, he refused to affiliate with a political party. He took up the cause of the United States.
Many politicians today prefer identity politics and special interests. John Quincy knew, however, that although political factions are a feature of our politics, America's best leaders bring people together.
Intellectual Curiosity
"As Czar Alexander had learned, few Western diplomats could match John Quincy's mastery of classical languages, history, and modern languages."
John Quincy loved books and learning. He knew Latin, Greek, Dutch, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, and German. One winter as a young man, he read dozens and dozens of dense volumes on classics, history, and economics. His intellectual curiosity lasted his entire life and led him to help establish American astronomy and the Smithsonian Institutes. One other point: he loathed academicians. His mother commiserated with him, writing, "Whilst salaries are so small, it cannot be expected that gentlemen of the first abilities will devote their leaves to [teaching]."
Constituents should examine candidates' speeches and debates to determine their relative grasp of issues. They might even ask about candidates’ reading habits, though reading habits may be reflected in speeches and debates. John Quincy's learning made him a brilliant orator, but he struggled connecting with the common people (not everyone appreciated his Latin puns). Just because a politician has some trouble connecting with voters at first, don't dismiss him or her immediately.
Humility
"For the good of my country -- not for the good of my career."
Humble service, not lust for power, motivated John Quincy. He was a statesmen. The difference between the statesmen and politician, in his view, was that statesmen accepted--not sought--public office. He spent his career concerned that he didn't have enough knowledge and wisdom for the positions into which we was appointed. He even declined a justiceship on the Supreme Court due to his fear that he lacked sufficient legal knowledge. He was a Harvard lawyer.
It's hard to find humility in politics. A politician who is self-aware enough to understand the limits of his or her knowledge and what is knowable would be a tremendous asset to the Republic. The problem is, this politician won't speak so easily in soundbytes.
Capable
"...America's most skilled diplomat and intelligence gleaner."
John Quincy was effective. He served as diplomat, treaty negotiator, senator, ambassador, secretary of state, president, litigator, orator, and representative. At 16-years old, the U.S. minister to Russia made John Quincy his personal assistant. Adams, as a young lawyer, defended President Washington. He rebuked the populist despotism of the French Revolution, attacking Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Jacobin extremism. President Washington named him Minister to the Hague for his effort, where he spent six hours per day gathering intelligence, writing reports, and building the expertise to become America's greatest European Affairs expert. James Monroe appointed him Secretary of State, where he conceived of a famous American foreign policy called the Monroe Doctrine.
Just about the only thing many politicians are capable of today is raising money and winning elections. There is, however, a positive trend of former public servants stepping up to run for office. Let's hope the trend continues.
Principled
"You are supported by no party; you have too honest a heart, too independent a mind, and too brilliant talents to be trusted by any man who is under the dominion of party maxims..."
John Quincy first allegiance was to truth and justice. John F. Kennedy's book Profiles in Courage recognized his principled fortitude. While in the Senate, he opposed his own party to save President Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase. As President, his belief in the improving the common good and national links led him to advocate for national infrastructure and science--which made him very unpopular. As a statesmen, he shamed other politicians who turned to foreign powers in support of their narrow, partisan objectives. But his two most precious principles were the rights of life and ordered liberty. As a result, John Quincy became one of America's first and most important abolitionists. He defended the escaped Amistad slaves in front of the Supreme Court and gave President Lincoln (who served with Adams in the House of Representatives) the legal basis for his Emancipation Proclamation. Although hated in some quarters, his policy positions made him revered in most parts of America. His death impacted the nation as much as the deaths of Washington and Franklin.
The dramatic lack of principle on display in American politics is heart-breaking. Most politicians are little more than actors playing a part--shrill and self-serving. Their positions are not principled; they're based on public opinion and party preferences. This is shameful.
Conclusion
"You must have one great purpose of existence...to make your talents and your knowledge most beneficial to your country and most useful to mankind."
John Quincy's remarkable life and service to the United States make him worthy of further study. For future reference, please pick up a copy of Harlow Giles Unger's biography, John Quincy Adams, whose pages provide the source of the above quotations and facts.
We should insist on future statesmen displaying those traits of John Quincy Adams: inclusiveness, intellectual curiosity, humility, capability, and principled fortitude.
Sending better politicians to Washington requires us to reconsider which leadership traits we prioritize. Given the lack of admirable politicians in DC these days, let's go back in history to find a leader worthy of emulation.
One such leader was John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts.
Here are five important attributes of John Quincy's that we should insist in seeing in our elected officials.
Inclusiveness
“...I have followed [my] convictions with a single eye to the interests of the whole nation…”
John Quincy insisted that he represented the whole nation--not special interests. His radical inclusiveness lasted throughout his career. As a young diplomat, John Quincy berated a senior British official for attacking John Quincy's political rivals in a previous administration back home (a lesson modern officials should heed). Toward the end of his career when elected to the House, he refused to affiliate with a political party. He took up the cause of the United States.
Many politicians today prefer identity politics and special interests. John Quincy knew, however, that although political factions are a feature of our politics, America's best leaders bring people together.
Intellectual Curiosity
"As Czar Alexander had learned, few Western diplomats could match John Quincy's mastery of classical languages, history, and modern languages."
John Quincy loved books and learning. He knew Latin, Greek, Dutch, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, and German. One winter as a young man, he read dozens and dozens of dense volumes on classics, history, and economics. His intellectual curiosity lasted his entire life and led him to help establish American astronomy and the Smithsonian Institutes. One other point: he loathed academicians. His mother commiserated with him, writing, "Whilst salaries are so small, it cannot be expected that gentlemen of the first abilities will devote their leaves to [teaching]."
Constituents should examine candidates' speeches and debates to determine their relative grasp of issues. They might even ask about candidates’ reading habits, though reading habits may be reflected in speeches and debates. John Quincy's learning made him a brilliant orator, but he struggled connecting with the common people (not everyone appreciated his Latin puns). Just because a politician has some trouble connecting with voters at first, don't dismiss him or her immediately.
Humility
"For the good of my country -- not for the good of my career."
Humble service, not lust for power, motivated John Quincy. He was a statesmen. The difference between the statesmen and politician, in his view, was that statesmen accepted--not sought--public office. He spent his career concerned that he didn't have enough knowledge and wisdom for the positions into which we was appointed. He even declined a justiceship on the Supreme Court due to his fear that he lacked sufficient legal knowledge. He was a Harvard lawyer.
It's hard to find humility in politics. A politician who is self-aware enough to understand the limits of his or her knowledge and what is knowable would be a tremendous asset to the Republic. The problem is, this politician won't speak so easily in soundbytes.
Capable
"...America's most skilled diplomat and intelligence gleaner."
John Quincy was effective. He served as diplomat, treaty negotiator, senator, ambassador, secretary of state, president, litigator, orator, and representative. At 16-years old, the U.S. minister to Russia made John Quincy his personal assistant. Adams, as a young lawyer, defended President Washington. He rebuked the populist despotism of the French Revolution, attacking Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Jacobin extremism. President Washington named him Minister to the Hague for his effort, where he spent six hours per day gathering intelligence, writing reports, and building the expertise to become America's greatest European Affairs expert. James Monroe appointed him Secretary of State, where he conceived of a famous American foreign policy called the Monroe Doctrine.
Just about the only thing many politicians are capable of today is raising money and winning elections. There is, however, a positive trend of former public servants stepping up to run for office. Let's hope the trend continues.
Principled
"You are supported by no party; you have too honest a heart, too independent a mind, and too brilliant talents to be trusted by any man who is under the dominion of party maxims..."
John Quincy first allegiance was to truth and justice. John F. Kennedy's book Profiles in Courage recognized his principled fortitude. While in the Senate, he opposed his own party to save President Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase. As President, his belief in the improving the common good and national links led him to advocate for national infrastructure and science--which made him very unpopular. As a statesmen, he shamed other politicians who turned to foreign powers in support of their narrow, partisan objectives. But his two most precious principles were the rights of life and ordered liberty. As a result, John Quincy became one of America's first and most important abolitionists. He defended the escaped Amistad slaves in front of the Supreme Court and gave President Lincoln (who served with Adams in the House of Representatives) the legal basis for his Emancipation Proclamation. Although hated in some quarters, his policy positions made him revered in most parts of America. His death impacted the nation as much as the deaths of Washington and Franklin.
The dramatic lack of principle on display in American politics is heart-breaking. Most politicians are little more than actors playing a part--shrill and self-serving. Their positions are not principled; they're based on public opinion and party preferences. This is shameful.
Conclusion
"You must have one great purpose of existence...to make your talents and your knowledge most beneficial to your country and most useful to mankind."
John Quincy's remarkable life and service to the United States make him worthy of further study. For future reference, please pick up a copy of Harlow Giles Unger's biography, John Quincy Adams, whose pages provide the source of the above quotations and facts.
We should insist on future statesmen displaying those traits of John Quincy Adams: inclusiveness, intellectual curiosity, humility, capability, and principled fortitude.
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