In Iraq, the Sunnis and the Shiites don't get along well enough to affect any sort of functional government. America implores them to get work together for the good of their own country.
In Palestine, Hamas and Fatah hate each other. America begs them to work together so they can work more effectively to help bring peace to the region.
Pakistan's coalition government is falling apart because of animosity from on old rivalries. America cajoles and encourages them to bury their respective hatchets to stabilize the country and the region.
Africa, Europe, Asia - pick a region and you'll find countries with internal bickering or hate at levels high enough to hinder economic progress, internal stability and sometimes regional stability. And in all cases, American tells them to get along.
But a look inside American politics reveals enough internal divisions to make us look like the womanizing pastor who instructs others about family values. We've got no credibility. One of the things America prides itself on is that we lead by example. Be it economically, or into battle. American is supposed to do as it says. To act according to our ideals.
Barack Obama, the new independent voice of the Democratic Party, made sure to take pot shots at McCain and the Republicans in his speech accepting his party's nomination. The same speech that included language of his ability to bring rivals together for the common good. "Enough!" he said of party bickering. But will the campaign follow his instruction? And don't believe the media that all things are hunky-dory within the Democratic Party, either. I attended the Convention in Denver heard Obama supporters say, "get over it," to fellow Democrats wearing Hilary t-shirts. I also listened to the plans that some Hilary supporters had laid out to vote for McCain now so that Hilary could run again in 2012. This was their grand plan. Have they forgotten that they are Democrats because the believe in Democratic ideals not just particular candidates?
The Republicans are no better. The day before McCain's acceptance speech, Giuliani spent all his time lambasting and chastising Obama. Palin stood up next and, with great charisma, spent a lot of her time doing the same. McCain took time to express his loyalty to the American people over his party. He talked about reaching across the aisle. But also issued a warning that in the coming weeks he'd go at Obama because "that's the nature of the game." I thought he was a maverick, willing to buck how things are "supposed" to be. As for the party, though I didn't attend the RNC, so I can't offer firsthand accounts, the Republican party, for sure, is not unified.
I want America back.
I want the candidates to act like they implore others to. We need to lead by example. Lets prove to Iraqis, Pakistanis, Russians, Palestinians and all of America that old rivalries, even differences of opinion should not derail progress for the greater good.
Lets all agree on a few things. Both Republicans and Democrats love America (spontaneous chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A," were heard at both conventions). Both candidates have some policy that may run counter to their own views, existing almost solely to pander to their party bases. Both candidates have some good ideas and both have some bad ones. Both have flip-flopped on some issues and both can be hung by their own words taken in or out of context from previous statements. Lets agree that both are well intentioned and truly desire to make our country better than it has been for the past 8 years. And of course, both parties and both candidates are picture perfect examples of the American Dream. Almost anyone who gets to run for President of the most powerful country in the world is.
Both parties preach platitudes like: "we will defend our country," "we will invest in renewable energy," "we will reduce taxes," "we will work to fix the economy." What differs, obviously, is how they intend to do it. But if you listen carefully, both do more to say what they are not instead of what they are. Neither campaign has offered a viable long-term theme - a strategy by which government can be guided effectively for 4 or even 8 years.
Both candidates have offered a direction for their campaigns, but not their parties. Country First is a fine idea, but that's the job of the President. Any President. Change is a fantastic idea given the past eight years, but it's not a ruling philosophy. Obama could not have run on a platform of Change in the mid-80s or mid-90s. It is a message for now, not of a plan for the future.
For America to lead by example, let each candidate share their visions with us. Tell us the America you envision for the next 4, 8, 25 and 50 years. Give us something to believe in that will be relevant long after we hand the country to our children and grandchildren. JFK told us to not ask what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country. That's a long term theme relevant in any economic climate and global situation. It's relevant today. Ronald Reagan painted a picture of "morning in America." An optimistic vision that still resonates more than a generation after him and in a world in which the Soviet Union is no longer the primary threat.
America is the beacon of optimism in the world. America represents that which is fair and just. America is about self-reliance and opportunity. America is the place where you can envision any life you want and have the ability to live it. America has courage and America leads by example. I beg both parties, both campaigns and both candidates to have courage and lead by example. Tell us your timeless vision for the country and the plans you will implement in the short term to steer the country on to that path. Define yourself and your parties by what you are instead of what you are not. Tell us what you believe and what you will do to bring your beliefs to life then let us choose the America in which we want to live.
Sadly, I fear that among all the great American attributes our candidates could use as a platform from which to campaign, both will probably continue employing the two that are the reasons America finds itself in the state it's in today: stubborn and deaf.
But I remain American. I remain optimistic.
For more from Simon Sinek, visit simonsinek.com