The Score Card

So the Patriots have made it into the post season again. After a slow start they have rebounded to win 6 of their last 8 games. They struggled through adversity that would have destroyed most other teams and emerged at the top of their division (albeit a weak one), earning home field advantage for the first round. It is this ability to stay focused and stay true to their nature as a pro football team that makes the Patriots such an inspiration. They are a perfect unit without ego that embodies the concept of "team". Their goal is ALWAYS the same, regardless of what week it is: win the next game. It could be week 1 or the super bowl, they play with the same level of heart and passion every time. They are champions regardless of the season's outcome.

The goals of a professional sports team are obviously more cut and dried than those of a nation. While the Patriots season will either end in a playoff defeat or a super bowl victory (victory!), our country's goal will never be attained. First off, it's hard to judge how we're doing as a country. What metrics do we use? Are we more wealthy than we were 100 years ago? Check. Is our infrastructure humming, providing distance-spanning networks for businesses and consumers? Check. Is their less poverty at large? Check. Are our citizens healthier? Check. Are our citizens better informed? Check...

So, as a society, we have improved in a number of ways. These improvements are proof that we've done some things right but, as I said, our ultimate goal will never be attained. There is no super bowl to win. Our country, like ourselves, requires constant improvement. If we set our sites on the impossible task of perfection but take pride in each victory along the way, if we strive for excellence in all things, we will be assured, despite any adversity, that we are headed down the right path.

Of course when it comes to the every day grind we have to speak in specifics. We have to scrutinize each and every crossroad and make sure the direction we proceed is consistent with our pursuit of excellence. Where have we gone lately, United States of America? Have we kept our lofty ambitions in mind? Unfortunately, there are several areas where we have failed; where our leadership has failed in its duty to represent us. Did we strive for peace instead of war? No. Did we focus on fiscal solvency instead of a mortgage state? No. Did we reduce the undemocratic powers of government, as opposed to moving toward fascism? No. Did we assure our children that our Earth will be healthier tomorrow than it is today? No. Are we safer?? Although debatable, most signs and most polls point to no.

So let's compare the two men at the helm of our Patriots and our country. Belichick has not produced a perfect record. No one expects him to, but his team is clearly headed down the right path. Bush has been far from perfect, but are we headed in the right direction? Have we been striving for excellence at every opportunity? I'm sure my opinion is evident. What is yours, fellow American? Can we be proud of how we handled the last six years or, if we could do it over again, would we do more things differently than we would do the same? That is the true test of leadership.