A U.S. News-Harris Poll revealed that 86% of Americans are disappointed by our leaders. (Davis) It is reasonable to assume that Americans are primarily referring to those “leaders” within our Legislative and Executive branches of government.  As to “leadership” a reasonable inference is to assume that Americans are referring to the inability to make progress on addressing the key issues and challenges facing America today. 

Obviously, not all Americans are dissatisfied with the government and our leaders. Depending on one’s political persuasion, you might either approve or disapprove of the status quo at any given time. In fact, according to numerous Gallup polls during the last 40 years, satisfaction has ranged from a low of 7% (Oct. 10-12, 2008) and a high of 71% (Feb. 12-13, 1999). From early 1998 to mid-2002 satisfaction with government averaged close to 60%. (Gallup) This was a period of high GDP growth, except for the 2001 recession which caused some retreat in the level of satisfaction.

 It might be appropriate here to list some leadership qualities that Americans should expect from those in a position of authority. Though most national polls are meant to garner our evaluation of the President and those in Congress, the following leadership skills identified by the Thomas Edison State University would be helpful for anyone in a position of authority:

1. Good leaders motivate and encourage. 
2. Good leaders communicate clearly and listen attentively.
3. Good leaders are trustworthy.
4. Good leaders think critically.
5. Good leaders are resilient. (Thomas)

 You might identify other qualities that you expect from our leaders, but the above list is pretty inclusive. Americans expect our leaders to have a vision as to how we can grow as a nation, how we can responsibly overcome our obstacles, and how we can advance in a way that is fair and just for all. In order to accomplish these goals, our leaders must be willing to tackle the issues that are difficult, be willing to compromise, and be willing to lose, if necessary, in their next election.

Our country is extremely polarized and our leaders reflect that polarization. Perhaps not as badly as it was during the Civil War but polarized to the point that major hurdles are not being addressed. We are not categorized as just Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We are cast in more extreme terms such as, socialists, progressives, radicals, ultraconservatives, or even un-American. These labels are not doing us justice. They are alienating us from one another. You can be a Democrat, Republican or Independent and still have both liberal and conservative ideas. If we make a list of 10 or so of the most prominent issues facing our nation today, many of us would have at least some liberal and some conservative leanings.

So, what do we do about this divisiveness in America? To begin, we need to quit with the name-calling; quit demonizing others because they hold beliefs that are different from our own. We should focus on policy priorities and objectively consider all viewpoints to address America’s needs.

We are all Americans, and we all want what is best for our country. Yes, we have differences in how we should meet our goals and solve our problems, but we must focus first on what beliefs we hold in common and then compromise on the best strategies and programs that address our goals. 

Most of us would agree that the following issues need to be addressed sooner rather than later: overhauling our infrastructure; social security and medicare reform; immigration reform; and reducing our annual budget deficit and national debt. Our leaders must be willing to address difficult issues regardless of if it might mean that they alienate some voters and jeopardize their reelection. Their continuation in office is less important than doing what is right and necessary for our country. 

For example, our Social Security and Medicare programs are underfunded, which will result in reduced payments to future generations. We have known this for years, but Congress has failed to address the problem—possibly for fear of alienating a large voting block and risking reelection. Yet, our leaders need to take that risk and do what is best for the nation. Reasonable compromises and solutions should be found and then let the votes fall where they may. 

We can blame our leaders for polarizing America, but they are also a reflection of our own tendencies to polarize. We must return to our roots, to what has made America great in the past, to what we are all about, epitomized by our national motto, “e pluribus unum–one out of many.” We are one nation, comprised with many people of varying beliefs, yet with one common set of goals:  “…in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…” (from the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States).

Ron Ohlhausen

January, 2020

Updated April, 2025

P.S. I believe term limits and public election financing could strengthen our government leadership.  These issues will be addressed in a forthcoming article.  

Bibliography

Davis, Elliott Jr. “Poll: Americans Are Down on Society’s Leaders–Especially in Politics,” U.S. News, Dec. 12, 2023. www.usnews.com/newa/leaders/articles/2023-12-12…

Gallup. Satisfaction with the United States. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2019. news.gallup.com/1669/general-mood-country.aspx.

Thomas Edison State University. 5 Critical Skills Every Leader in Public Service Should Have. March 11, 2016. Retrieved Jan. 5, 2020. blog.tesu.edu/5-skills-every-leader-in-public-service-should-have.