Time for New Leadership and New Journalism

America's representative government has failed!  America's journalists have failed!

The day when Americans could live their lives by working hard and trusting their elected officials to do what is right for America is over!  The day when Americans could live their lives by working hard and trusting the news media to faithfully report what is happening in the nation is over!

The new reality is that American citizens must now "go the extra mile" and be engaged in their communities and in their nation as well as take care of themselves and their families.   This model of trusting others to work on your behalf (whether the President or your elected officials) no longer exists. 

The old model was based on citizens living by shared values and principles.  This old model was based on love of neighbor, community and nation.  The new model does not work because it is self-centered based on one man's rule over another.  The new model does not work because it is based on entitlement ("taking what is not yours") and is based on big, inefficient government programs which try to equalize the playing field, independent of individual effort or character.  Systems and bureaucracies are in charge of people's fate.

What America needs now is new thinkers and networkers.   What America needs now is servant leaders.  What America needs now is new leaders to rise.  Yet, the old leaders refuse to empower the new or even the young.  The old leaders wish to maintain their control over everyone and impose their will on all.  The old leaders do not wish to ever surrender their power.  The old leaders remain unaccountable to anyone.  These old leaders seek a new America.

This new order brought on by the old leaders has removed all principles and values.   These old leaders would seek a principle-less society.  Truth is not absolute but relative.  Truth is what these old leaders proclaim it to be.  Today, has become the "day of the big lie."  Our old leaders believe if they repeat something enough times, citizens will believe them.

Journalists are now the agents of these old leaders.  The fourth estate no longer exists.  Journalists no longer seek truth.  Journalists are no longer "watchdogs" for liberty and freedom.

Where do we go from here? I believe that the development of a Citizens Journalist Network in America is fundamental for our future.   I believe that the mission of such a Citizens Journalist Network is not only to "seek truth" but to "mobilize citizens" to become engaged in their communities  before a "new America" led by old leaders takes over.

It is time for new leaders to arise and return America to its former greatness.  It is time for a new journalism that really is based on old notions that once made journalism a noble profession.  It is time for the Citizens Journalist Network to be launched.  Let's go forth!