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!

Why The Citizens Journalist Network?

America needs an alternative news organization that citizens can believe for their news, features, and viewpoints.  I believe that The Citizens Journalist Network is that alternative.  Truth is at the core of The Citizens Journalist Network—which reflects “balanced” not “slanted” reporting. 

I believe it is imperative that such an alternative news organization not be a reactionary news organization—presenting an ideology or framework that is opposite of the “left wing” news media making it a conservative or “right wing” news outlet.   Rather, The Citizens Journalist Network is a “trusted” news operation by those who “choose to view” whether on the left, middle, or right.

For me, such a news operation, articulates spheres (citizens action in society and the culture) and principles (Judeo-Christian).   No, this news organization is not “religious” by any means but is truthful which means:  “ethical, fair, and balanced.” What a novel concept?  These are the fundamental or core values that birthed journalism and that all journalists were trained to appreciate and strive for in a bygone era.

I believe that The Citizens Journalist Network is uplifting to its citizens and its core mission is to “build America—not bring it down.”   Those engaged in The Citizens Journalist Network are “to lead”—to become “servant leaders” to the citizens and to serve a “Great Awakening” where citizens become engaged in their communities, State and Nation—not leaving America or their communities in the “hands of elected officials” who continually fail them.

Frankly, all of us have a political or philosophical “bent” that defines us as a human being.  We need to recognize this inherent “bias” and choose to be “balanced.”  The reality is that “truth” always wins out if we choose to participate in “two way communication” and trust that “informed citizens” will make the right choices.  The problem we face in America today is that the citizens information choices are “so biased” and “untruthful” that there is “confusion, cynicism, and unbelief.”

The Citizens Journalist Network has an opportunity to provide a “ray of hope” that Americans can reach the appropriate conclusions when given objective “facts” from all sides of an issue.   Let us be “truthful,” let us be “balanced” and put our faith and hope in our Creator rather than a person such as the President.

If we are willing to re-do the actions of our famous forefathers in the birth of this nation; we can see America turn back to its greatness.  If we are willing to tell the “stories” that make people think; that inspire; that transform Americans; we can see America rise up again as a great nation and world power.   The choice is ours.  Will we dare to organize in such a fashion as to create The Citizens Journalist Network?  I say we have no other choice.   “Let’s do it!”