The Fall of the Masters of the Universe

It is intriguing to me how rhetoric shifts as conditions dictate. One of the more interesting conversations right now is among our so-called "leaders", both political and business types. The "big brains" used to act as if they had all the answers and, to be fair, when times are good, it certainly seems like they do.

Alas, a rising tide raises all boats.In fact, some leaders are just beneficiaries of luck or good timing. Of course, this is not so right about now.

My grandfather used to say that "hard times bring out the best in men, and the worst." I think this is a accurate generalization. While the boastful have been humbled, many have walked away with their millions or billions. They are likely to come back some day when the dust has settled and the coast is clear.

The leaders with integrity will remain to pick up the pieces. They will admit that they clearly don't have all the answers. They will ask us to work with them to generate a game plan and to move, to get into the action. They will roll up their sleeves and do their own hard work and toil, right along side us, as one of us.

The fair weather leaders will re-emerge when the dust settles. They will seek to reassert their place as one of the "big brains." We need to reject these folks at every turn.

We should remember who they are and refuse to seat them at our table. We can do with a little less hubris, a little less bravado. We will be better for having worked through our own difficulties and not having relied on the big brains.

We should also remember to be compassionate. After all, as Tiny Tim remarked, "God bless us, one and all!"