Santa Clara University

Are you an optimist or pessimist? Would you describe yourself as conservative, moderate, or liberal? How would others describe you – friends and enemies? Does it matter?

As the stakes get higher and the rhetoric more critical, I suggest we shed those descriptors and focus on what the people want: public servants who act in the best interest of their constituents.

The recent release of the “full” birth certificate of President Obama can serve as an example of months of focusing on the smaller items while the really difficult matters remain log jammed.

Titles like senator, mayor, councilmember, and the like should be enough to let the voters know where to go when they have a concern or problem.

Furthering a divide among elected officials by demonizing or characterizing them on any other basis seems counterproductive.

They are called "leadership failures" or misjudgements. Some elected officials call them lapses in judgement or "slips" but no matter how you dress up  these deeds (or misdeeds) they are still "mistakes."

I can't understand why it is so difficult for politicians to admit they are capable of making mistakes. (Remember the famous line "mistakes were made?")

When President Obama appeared recently on CBS television he spoke of a "series of errors" and admitted he had "misjudged" some things and he hadn't always "been successful."

Part of what drives people crazy when listening to political rhetoric is that it is long on words and short on meaning. I don't know if what the president did was right or wrong, but if he feels he made some mistakes he should come right out and say that.

A hallmark of ethical behavior is the ability to be transparent and responsible for one's actions. If that model started at the top -- the White House -- perhaps Congress would step forward and engage in  honest dialog.