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Leadership requires caring and respect

To define success as being rich and famous, without taking character into consideration, is folly
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To the editor,

Many people defend Donald Trump on the basis that he is a ‘successful’ businessman. To define success as being rich and famous, without taking into consideration the overall character of the person, is pure folly. Many justify ruthless, aggressive behaviour as ‘survival of the fittest.’ In truth, science shows that fitness includes gentleness, compassion, and defending the weak and vulnerable.

Unlike Trump, a truly successful business person or leader is someone who aims to communicate in a clear and open manner; treats everyone with dignity and respect; cares about the environment; and is patient and thoughtful. Essentially, a successful leader doesn’t put profit or self-importance above being a good and kind person. If America needs to be made “great again” as Trump claims, then its people need a great leader. Trump, I fear, isn’t even a good one.

True success is infused with heart energy. For us to be truly successful as a species on this planet, it time our heads and our hearts worked together for the benefit of all.

Lindsay Hartley, Nanaimo

To the editor,

Welcome to the disturbing new world order, as exemplified by the divided states of Trumpistan. Recent public declarations of gratitude and homage duly offered by members of the White House cabinet to their esteemed leader – the American president – appear to represent a fundamental shift; a major step away from functional democracy and towards virtual dictatorship. This movement away from meaningful democracy is occurring – as candidate Trump so often promised/threatened – “so fast you won’t believe it.”

Another indication of the direction in which the Trump administration is charging ahead is in the heads of state the American president seems to favour including President Putin, a role model of sorts.

This current White House administration – supported (so far) by complicit representatives in both House and Senate – seems intent on becoming the most destabilizing global influence in matters social, political and environmental. Any meaningful resistance to the devolution of our – at least somewhat – open society needs to happen with a sense of urgency if we (collectively) want to leave open the possibility of a sustainable society, or future.

M. Walker, Nanaimo