Why does humanity accept bad leaders?

a reply to: PrivateAngel

"The difference between humans and animals. Animals would never allow the dumbest of the herd to lead them."

Out of ignorance.

Self delusion and seeing what one wants to see, rather than what is.

People lie to themselves, to justify their ego and greed.

It's that simple.

a reply to: PrivateAngel

It's probably the selection process.

originally posted by: ADVISOR
a reply to: PrivateAngel

"The difference between humans and animals. Animals would never allow the dumbest of the herd to lead them."

Out of ignorance.

Self delusion and seeing what one wants to see, rather than what is.

People lie to themselves, to justify their ego and greed.

It's that simple.

It is clear, however, that animals use a relative scale criteria that encompasses academic performance, as well as IQ and cognitive test results.

a reply to: andy06shake

I want to say thanks for one of the better political cartoons I've ever seen. We usually don't agree or get along...but this I can endorse whole heartedly. Thanks for posting that!

a reply to: andy06shake

It wouldn't...at our core we are all the same...want the same thing, same needs, same dreams. When it gets watered down we all pay...

Bad leaders make easy prey for those who want to control our government.
This should be so obvious, however people vote for them in every election, and many of those people are part of the same problem.

It is true that you cannot fix stupid but you certainly can take advantage of them if you are intelligent and evil.

originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: PrivateAngel

As to what we should do, we could always perfect AI and let it have a go at governing the masses.

Perfect AI?

If we let AI take over, then it's a big human failure!

AI should only be a tool.

a reply to: PrivateAngel

Humanity is a tool of sorts, or at least from a biological perspective, humans can be seen as a tool of evolution.

IMHO If we manage to spawn something that can learn at an exponential rate.

And has little to none of the biological limitations we share as a race.

Never mind access to the pool of data we accumulated, as well as the rest of recorded history.

It might be best to listen to what it has to say. and/or let it help us with the problems the universe chooses to throw at our race.

If its any consolation PrivateAngel general AI/Strong AI is still pretty much in the theoretical and hypothetical phase.

And probably won't be an actual thing for a few decades yet depending on the pace at which the technology progresses.

a reply to: RickyD

No problem RickyD i thought it rather apt myself.

As to us not agreeing or getting along, i dont ever remember falling out with you.

Anyhoo stuff existing in a place where we all agree all the time.

For a start, there would not be much to discuss apart from agreement.

Pretty boring place to reside eh?

a reply to: RickyD

More similar than different really.

Hence my ambivalence at the polarization the US seems to be experiencing.

Yeah, a civil war in this day of age would be a mugs game and a slaughter on the scale of epic proportions.

“And I sincerely believe with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”. Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 1816.

“I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

– Thomas Jefferson

We the People, must learn from history and remember it, so it gets passed on and not forgotten.

Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again

originally posted by: ADVISOR


We the People, must learn from history and remember it, so it gets passed on and not forgotten.

a reply to: PrivateAngel

“Do not . . . be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ.”​—MATT. 23:9, 10.

A good leader gives clear direction and helps people under his care to gain personal strength and resources so that they can solve problems successfully. ‘This is a requisite for the successful 21st century leader,’ says the book 21st Century Leadership: Dialogues With 100 Top Leaders. How well did Jesus prepare his listeners to handle day-to-day situations? Well, just consider his most famous discourse​—the Sermon on the Mount. Rich in practical advice are the words recorded in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

Consider, for example, Jesus’ advice on settling personal differences. He said: “If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24) Taking the initiative in making peace with others takes first priority​—even over performing a religious duty, such as presenting gifts on the temple altar in Jerusalem as required by the Mosaic Law. Otherwise, acts of worship are unacceptable to God. Jesus’ advice is as practical today as it was centuries ago.

The Sermon on the Mount also contains excellent advice on loving one’s enemies, on displaying generosity, on having the proper view of material and spiritual things, and the like. (Matthew 5:43-47; 6:1-4, 19-21, 24-34) Jesus even showed his audience how to seek God’s help by teaching them how to pray. (Matthew 6:9-13) “Messiah the Leader” (Dan 9:25) strengthens and prepares his followers to deal with problems common to mankind.

Six times in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduces his statements with the expression “you heard that it was said” or “moreover it was said,” but he then presents another idea, saying “however, I say to you.” (Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28, 31-34, 38, 39, 43, 44) That indicates that his listeners were accustomed to acting in a certain way, according to the oral Pharisaic traditions. But Jesus was now showing them a different way​—one that reflected the true spirit of the Mosaic Law. Jesus was thus introducing a change, and he did this in a way that made it easy for his followers to accept. Yes, Jesus moved people to make dramatic changes in their lives, spiritually and morally. This is a mark of a true leader.

A management textbook points out how difficult it is to bring about such a change. It says: “The change agent [leader] needs the sensitivity of a social worker, the insights of a psychologist, the stamina of a marathon runner, the persistence of a bulldog, the self-reliance of a hermit, and the patience of a saint. And even with all those qualities, there is no guarantee of success.”

“Leaders must behave the way they wish their followers would behave,” noted an article entitled “Leadership: Do Traits Matter?” Indeed, a good leader practices what he preaches. How true that was of Jesus Christ! Yes, he taught those with him to be humble, but he also provided an object lesson for them by washing their feet. (John 13:5-15) He did not just send out his disciples to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom, but he exerted himself vigorously in that work. (Matthew 4:18-25; Luke 8:1-3; 9:1-6; 10:1-24; John 10:40-42) And in the matter of responding to leadership, Jesus set an example. “The Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative,” he said about himself, “but only what he beholds the Father doing.”​—John 5:19.

The foregoing consideration of what Jesus said and did clearly shows that he is the ideal Leader. In fact, he exceeds all human standards for good leadership. Jesus is perfect. Having received immortality following his death and resurrection, he lives forever. (1 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:13-18) What human leader can match these qualifications?

Even the best human leaders cannot guarantee their own future. Should you, then, trust them to guarantee yours? The Bible says: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” The Byington translation renders the last part of Ps 146 verse 4: “That day his goodwill is a total loss.”​—Psalm 146:3, 4.

As to the question raised in the title of this thread, the Bible contains several clues and/or answers to that question, the main one is this:

“Now this is the basis for judgment, that the light has come into the world, but men* [Or “people.”] have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. For whoever practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his works may not be reproved.* [Or “exposed.”] But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that his works may be made manifest as having been done in harmony with God.”” (John 3:19-21)

To further clarify that statement, see John 8:12:

Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will by no means walk in darkness, but will possess the light of life.”

True enlightenment. Be on your guard for the counterfeit versions of enlightenment as promoted by both religious/spiritual and political (human) leaders and “teachers” who do their best to tickle people's ears according to their desires, including the desire (or love) described at John 3:19-21 above.

“For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome* [Or “healthful; beneficial.”] teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.* [Or “to tell them what they want to hear.”] They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.” (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

“So we should no longer be children, tossed about as by waves and carried here and there by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in deceptive schemes.” (Ephesians 4:14)

“And stop being molded by this system of things,* [ Or “this age.”] but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ;” “We have much to say about him, and it is difficult to explain, because you have become dull in your hearing. For although by now* [Lit., “in view of the time.”] you should be teachers, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a young child. But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment* [Or “their perceptive powers.”] trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Col 2:8; Hebrews 5:11-14)

“However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

“But let God be found true, even if every man be found a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

originally posted by: PrivateAngel
a reply to: SecretKnowledge2

The French Revolution was brutal, do you really think we have to be that brutal to make a positive change?

And can violence really make a positive change?

I mean, can violence really stop violence?

Obviously not. Jesus said: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matt 26:52)

Part 7—A Political Search for Utopia (Human Rule Weighed in the Balances; Awake!—1990)

Socialism: a social system advocating State ownership and control of the means of production that communists view as an intermediate stage between capitalism and communism;
Communism: a social system advocating the absence of classes, the common ownership of the means of production and subsistence, and the equitable distribution of economic goods.

GREEK mythology tells of a Greek deity named Cronus, during whose reign Greece enjoyed a golden age. “All shared equally in the common lot, private property was unknown, and peace and harmony reigned undisturbed,” explains the Dictionary of the History of Ideas. The same source adds: “The first traces of socialism appear in the lament for a lost ‘Golden Age.’”

Not until the early and middle decades of the 19th century, however, did socialism make its appearance as a modern political movement. It found ready acceptance, especially in France, where the French Revolution had severely shaken conventional ideas. There, as in other European countries, the Industrial Revolution created harsh social problems. People were ripe for the idea that public rather than private ownership of resources would better enable the masses to share equally in the fruits of combined labor.

Socialism is not a new idea. Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato wrote about it. Later, during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, Thomas Müntzer, a radical German Catholic priest, demanded a classless society. But his views were controversial, especially his call for revolution, if necessary, in order to achieve this goal. In the 19th century, Welshman Robert Owen, Frenchmen Étienne Cabet and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, and a number of other social reformers, among them prominent clergymen, taught that socialism was simply Christianity by another name.

The Utopias of Marx and More

...

The Road From Capitalism to Utopia

...

Utopia by Way of Revolution or Evolution?

“Communism” is derived from the Latin word communis, which means “common, belonging to all.” Like socialism, communism claims that free enterprise leads to unemployment, poverty, business cycles, and labor-management conflicts. The solution to these problems is to distribute the nation’s wealth more equally and justly.

But by the end of the last century, Marxists were already at odds about how to achieve these agreed-upon ends. In the early 1900’s, that part of the socialist movement that rejected violent revolution and advocated working within the parliamentary democratic system gained in strength, developing into what is now called democratic socialism. This is the socialism found today in democracies like the Federal Republic of Germany, France, and Britain. For all intents and purposes, these parties have rejected genuine Marxist thinking and are simply interested in creating a welfare state for their citizens.

One dedicated Marxist, however, who strongly believed that a communist Utopia could be achieved only by violent revolution was Lenin. His teachings, along with Marxism, serve as the basis for contemporary orthodox communism. ...

...

a reply to: PrivateAngel

Many people are afraid to try putting themselves out there, add in the corporations of RNC and DNC have made it extremely hard to do so unless you play ball.

Then people say if I am not in congress there is nothing I can do, which is a terrible thought.

School boards set the agenda for the kids, the future of the country that is easy to run for and yet people still wont.

Its fear of failure, its fear of looking foolish... basically its fear.

Then yea we have those ignorant folks out there that think there "team" is different.

I know the gop is terrible, but they are marginally better on average that the crazy town that is the dems.

a reply to: whereislogic

Just because Jesus said it, does not make it so.

This quote,

“Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.”

obviously isn't right because not everyone dies by the sword that takes it up.

there's no such thing as bad or good leaders, just lucky or unlucky leaders that are carried by the tides of humanity or nature.

originally posted by: Irishhaf
a reply to: PrivateAngel
Its fear of failure, its fear of looking foolish... basically its fear.

Yes, fear is the enemy, but we can beat it!


By the way, what a lovely cat on your avatar.