Author: Vernon Dobelmann

What the heck is happening to our country?  That is the toned-down version of a question I heard this morning.  Events in Ferguson, Missouri have put a spotlight on the social problems that continue to exist in our communities.  Unfortunately, the answers to these problems will not likely be forthcoming.  Symptoms may be addressed in a few areas but the root causes will probably remain firmly entrenched.  Continued moral decline is what is happening to our country.

The vandalism, looting, and burning of property that took place last night was simply a crime of opportunity.  A “mob mentality” is easily created in this type of environment and the results are quite predictable.  The destruction of businesses in a community that is already struggling will only exacerbate the existing challenges of poverty, unemployment, and criminal activity.  A thinking person realizes that these actions don’t accomplish anything in regard to promoting justice or honoring the memory of the deceased.  However, thinking seems to be a commodity in short supply in a scenario such as this.

Rush Limbaugh mentioned in his opening monologue today that thinking has been replaced with feelings.  He cited sports examples in which interviewers asked athletes, “How do you feel?”  As I watched interviews last night with numerous people in the Ferguson area this sentiment was played out over and over.  “I feel” was the predominant theme.  This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to reason with people regarding the facts.  After all, some people don’t want the facts messing up the narrative they have playing in their mind.

In fair disclosure, I want to mention a couple of things.  Thirty years ago I was a police officer with the St. Louis County Police Department serving in the North County precinct not far from Ferguson.  Secondly,  I am an ISTJ on the Myers-Briggs personality type assessment.  (For those of you unfamiliar with this tool, the “T” stands for “thinking” as opposed to an “F” which stands for “Feeling.”)  My personality type is to evaluate and analyze information based upon the facts and circumstances as they are presented.  Although I tend to trust my gut instinct in certain circumstances, my preferred mode of operation is to think through a situation and arrive at the best decision based upon the available data. 

In the rule of law, I hope we will always utilize facts as the basis of decisions rather than feelings.  Even if a personality type is an “F” rather than a “T” it would still seem logical (in my “T” world) to utilize evidence as the basis of the Grand Jury decision rather than feelings.  If feelings are going to dominate the criminal justice system rather than a process of judicial review, we have simply moved into a state of anarchy and we can all kiss our sense of security of good-bye.  Ferguson gave us a glimpse into that style of living last night.

This side-trip leads me back to the “root” causes of the social problems in communities like Ferguson.  The current symptom appears to be racial tensions between white cops and black citizens.  (A poll today showed that 98% of blacks think the decision by the Grand Jury was wrong and 96% of whites think it was right.)  The historical context of slavery and oppression play into these perceptions, but what are the modern day factors contributing to the upheaval and chaos being experienced today?  Delving into the sociological and psychological research would require an exhaustive amount of time—far beyond the scope of this article.  Thus, I will lay out my opinions without the sources of research to back up what I consider some of the root causes.

I think (and feel) that the breakdown of the family unit is a huge contributing factor to the undermining of positive values being handed down from one generation to the next—especially in minority neighborhoods.  Virtuous male role models are absent in the lives of many young black men growing up.  How will they effectively learn right from wrong?  What are their attitudes toward authority figures and how did they develop them?  Who models appropriate behavior for them?  Looking at these types of factors will get us closer to the root causes of the behaviors we witnessed last night.

Secondly, I think (and feel) that the failed educational system is not providing the tools to “think” effectively and logically.  How can wise choices be made if one lacks the basic understanding of assessing and processing information?  Has the current educational system simply indoctrinated young minds in minority neighborhoods to see themselves as victims and entitled to certain things?  If our schools are telling students what to “feel” rather than teaching them how to “think,” we are justly reaping the chaos that has been sown.

Finally, the Church no longer serves as a dominant influence in the moral training of our young people.  If good and upright values are not received from the family or from the Church, from whence shall they come?  The disturbing images on TV last night were made more horrendous when folks like Rev. Al Sharpton use the Church to incite more violence rather than to promote calm and common sense.

Families are falling apart.  Educational systems are sometimes producing an inferior product.  Church attendance is in steep decline.  These foundations of society are crumbling and we are beginning to experience the repercussions.  Prominent institutions which once served as agents of solidarity and cohesiveness have disintegrated before our eyes.  Technological connections have replaced family.  Indoctrination and politics have replaced education.  Media and entertainment have replaced spiritual and religious practice.   

What the heck has happened to our country?  The answer is plain and simple.  We have turned away from God.  Even though we are preparing to enter the Advent season, it may be a good time to be reminded of what we hear at the beginning of Lent.  
“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”    

John Maxwell frequently states that everything rises and falls based upon leadership.  An institution will flourish under good leadership and it will struggle under poor leadership.  We see this lived out on a regular basis in business settings, non-profits, churches, and in all levels of government bureaucracy.  Effective leaders ensure that individuals and organizations thrive.  Incompetent leaders reap chaos, discontent, and suffering.

Effective leadership is anticipatory rather than reactive.  Great leaders have the ability to observe and assess situations and plan accordingly.  They have proficient skills at training and mentoring others in the organization to also be proactive leaders.  Finally, effective leaders encourage healthy conflict among team members to ensure that ideas and issues are discussed thoroughly and honestly.  This typically leads to good decision making.

Reactionary leadership in Ferguson, Missouri by local, state, and federal officials—all the way up to the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S President—has primed the pump for a worst case scenario to take place.  The racial tensions in the St. Louis area have always been quite high, and this latest conflict between Ferguson police and the black community simply exposes the fragile nature of race relations.  Unfortunately, government leaders have frequently been viewed as part of the problem rather than part of the solution through this prolonged episode of real-life drama.  The question that sticks in my mind is a simple one.  How will things change in the future?  Once the verdict is announced from the Grand Jury and the dust settles, what will ultimately change? How will leadership at the local level, as well as state and federal agencies, move forward following these months of tension and violence?  What will have been learned?

As I attempt to put the chaos of Ferguson, Missouri into context, I can’t help but think of the chaos on a wider scale created by failed leadership in regard to the immigration issue.  The political aspect of the immigration issue is huge, and one’s political leanings will greatly impact what a person thinks about the president’s speech on Thursday, November 20, 2014.  I don’t want to dwell on the pros and cons of immigration.  That is a debate for another time.  However, I want to look at the processes and methodologies being utilized by the president.  Is it good leadership to unilaterally make this move?

Our Founding Fathers were quite wise in developing a system which had such a distinct separation of powers.  They understood the potential for a misuse of power.  Even if the actions to be taken by the president in regard to immigration are within constitutional standards, does anyone view this as good leadership?  Who is responsible for gridlock?  What is the role of a leader in government?  The inability to work with people who have opposing views is detrimental to the well-being of any organization, business, or country.  Republicans can blame Democrats; Democrats can blame Republicans.  In the end, if John Maxwell is accurate in regard to everything rising and falling in regard to leadership, the leader of the country may need to look in the mirror for clarity about the failed attempts to get things done.

It is no doubt that the issues are complex.  In no way am I minimizing the difficult task of a leader, especially the leader of a country such as the U.S.A.  However, the glaring inconsistencies of this administration between the words spoken and the actions taken are alarming under any circumstances.  I will be honest.  I cringed numerous times during the brief speech of the president. Commentators affirmed many of my ill feelings after the speech was over.  In particular, it was interesting to see what the president said a few years ago on numerous occasions about not having the constitutional authority to act on his own, and now he was doing just that.  It’s amazing what a difference a few years can make.

As he referred to “ripping” families apart by deportation, the image of an unborn baby being “ripped” from the womb immediately entered my mind.  In his mind that kind of ripping is apparently okay.  Remember his words, “God bless Planned Parenthood.”  Although the president quoted Scripture during his speech to win me over, I was not impressed.  Anyone can quote Scripture.  Living by the principles contained therein is another matter indeed.

Speculation about the long-term consequences of the president’s actions is in full swing.

Is it constitutional?

Will it encourage more illegals to enter the country?

Does it create easier opportunities for terrorists to enter our country?

What does it mean for individuals and families trying to enter the country legally?

What will this do to our job market?

What impact will it have on our over-all economy?

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, “Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S., auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, welcomed the news today that the Obama administration will defer deportations for many undocumented immigrants and their families.”  I understand the desire to be compassionate, and I realize that failed leadership for years has in many ways created the chaos we currently have in place.  However, I would encourage serious reflection before celebrating too boisterously.  What are the long-term ramifications of unilateral action by a president?

Why do I raise this question?  Look at the HHS Mandate of the Affordable Care Act.  Many dioceses and Catholic organizations have filed lawsuits against the government.  The president has repeatedly, on his own, changed rules without congressional approval.  How has that worked out for religious freedom?  Do we want unilateral action by the president when it seems to fit in our personal agenda but resist it when it does not?  We can’t have it both ways.  

Bishop Elizondo may welcome this current news about immigration, but I would urge a restrained exuberance.  The consequences of these actions go far beyond the issue of immigration.  It has the potential to obliterate the republic form of government that we have enjoyed for over 200 years.  Is that an exaggeration?  We shall see.  Failed leadership can result in some devastating consequences for the rest of us.